Francisella tularensis: Likely Clinical Specimens and Gram Stain Morphology

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Francisella tularensis: Likely Clinical Specimens and Gram Stain Morphology

Clinical specimens where organisms 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
9. Stauffer, L. (2002). Image #1903. Caption: "This photomicrograph reveals numerous Gram-negative, Francisella tularensis coccobacilli, the bacterium responsible for causing the disease, tularemia."http://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=1903

Gram stain of Francisella tularensis coccobacilli. (9)