Francisella tularensis

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Francisella tularensis

Clinical specimens where organism may be encountered:

  • Blood
  • Biopsy, skin scraping, or swab
  • Lymph node aspirate
  • Respiratory secretions - oropharyngeal aspirate, sputum, or bronchial washings

Gram stain morphology:

  • Very tiny, gram-negative coccobacillus
  • Pale or weak staining
  • Due to the small size, often difficult to see individual cells

F. tularensis image courtesy of CDC