Tularemia Outbreak in Utah
Author Information
Author(s): Petersen Jeannine M., Carlson Jennifer K., Dietrich Gabrielle, Eisen Rebecca J., Coombs Jana, Janusz Aimee M., Summers JoDee, Ben Beard C., Mead Paul S.
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Can multiple subspecies and clades of Francisella tularensis cause disease in a localized outbreak of tularemia?
Conclusion
The study found that both A1 and A2 strains of Francisella tularensis were responsible for human infections during the outbreak.
Supporting Evidence
- Human infections were caused by 2 clades of Francisella tularensis.
- Evidence of infection was found in lagomorph carcasses.
- Multiple subspecies and clades can cause disease in a localized outbreak.
Takeaway
In Utah, some people got sick from a disease called tularemia, which was caused by different types of germs from animals.
Methodology
Clinical isolates were obtained from skin lesions of patients and identified using biochemical analysis and molecular subtyping techniques.
Limitations
The study is limited by the small number of clinical isolates and the specific geographic focus.
Participant Demographics
Patients were visitors to the southwest shore of Utah Lake.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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