​Infectious Diseases and Microbiology- Tularemia ( Francisella tularensis)

​Infectious Diseases and Microbiology- Tularemia ( Francisella tularensis) 
Francisella tularensis is a  Gram-negative coccobacillus of a minute size.
A number of states in the United States, including Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, are home to this extremely contagious bacterium that is unique to those states. A person can become infected by being bitten by an infected tick, by coming into contact with infectious aerosols, or by coming into contact with infected tissues or body fluids of an infected animal. Approximately fifty organisms constitute the infectious dosage.

There are many different presentations of the disease, some of which include typhoidal disease, pneumonia, oculoglandular conjunctivitis, glandular disease, and ulceroglandular disease.

Two of the most important variables that contribute to virulence are an antiphagocytic capsule and endotoxin. It is possible for F. tularensis to live in the cells that make up the reticuloendothelial system.

In order to assist the diagnosis process, fluorescent antibody assays are performed on clinical specimens. Additionally, serologic assays are utilized to identify specific antibodies. Because of its slow growth rate, the organism requires a specific medium that is rich in cysteine. Considering how extremely infectious it is, laboratories ought to be informed if there is a suspicion of an infection.
 It is unable to treat F. tularensis with any of the beta-lactam antibiotics. The use of antibiotics like streptomycin and gentamicin has proven to be useful in the treatment of the condition. It is possible to obtain a vaccine for people who are at a high risk. When it comes to prevention, it is important to stay away from diseased animals, aerosols, and tick vectors.