Francisella tularensis DNA extractions and isolates from the environment and humans were genetically characterized to elucidate environmental sources that cause human tularemia in Turkey. Extensive genetic diversity consistent with genotypes from human outbreaks was identified in environmental samples and confirmed water as a source of human tularemia in Turkey.
Keywords: Francisella tularensis infections; Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica; SNP; Turkey; bacteria; canSNP; lineage; phylogeography; tularemia; zoonoses.