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Identification and characterization of Francisella species from natural warm springs in Utah, USA
Author(s) -
Whitehouse C.A.,
Kesterson K.E.,
Duncan D.D.,
Eshoo M.W.,
Wolcott M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2012.03214.x
Subject(s) - francisella tularensis , francisella , biology , 16s ribosomal rna , phylogenetic tree , clade , multilocus sequence typing , microbiology and biotechnology , typing , genotype , virulence , bacteria , genetics , gene
Abstract Aims: To characterize Francisella isolated from two natural warm springs in Utah and compare them to a strain isolated from a patient with probable exposure to one of the springs in 2001. Methods and Results: A total of 39 presumptive Francisella isolates were obtained from two springs, Wasatch Hot Spring and Hobo Warm Spring, just north of Salt Lake City, Utah. All isolates were characterized by a combination of biochemical and molecular analyses, including novel PCR/electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) typing assays. Thirty‐one were identified as F. philomiragia , while the remaining eight were identified as F. tularensis ssp. novicida . Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA sequences revealed 27 isolates, which clustered with F. philomiragia , albeit into two distinct clades. The remaining isolates clustered along with other F. tularensis strains including the Utah clinical isolate. Testing with the PCR/ESI‐MS assays confirmed the identities of the isolates, but both yielded DNA signatures distinct from that of the clinical isolate. Conclusion: We were successful in isolating several Francisella strains from natural warm springs; however, none appeared to genetically match the original 2001 clinical isolate. Significance and Impact of the Study: This work highlights the presence of viable, potentially pathogenic Franscisella species living in the unique environmental niche of natural warm springs.