The role of birds in dissemination of Francisella tularensis: first direct molecular evidence for bird-to-human transmission

Epidemiol Infect. 2010 Mar;138(3):376-9. doi: 10.1017/S0950268809990513. Epub 2009 Aug 10.

Abstract

During a recent large tularemia outbreak in Bulgaria we found several cases that were remote from the main focus. One case had an unusual mode of transmission. A hunter acquired tularemia through a nail scratch from a buzzard (Buteo buteo) and consequently developed a typical ulceroglandular form of the disease. The diagnosis was confirmed by serological methods and successful cultivation. Comparative strain typing was performed by high-resolution multi-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). The isolated strain was identical to one of the outbreak genotypes. We consider that this case represents a bird-to-human transmission of F. tularensis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Bulgaria / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Francisella tularensis / genetics*
  • Hoof and Claw
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phylogeny
  • Raptors*
  • Tularemia / epidemiology
  • Tularemia / transmission*
  • Zoonoses