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Characterization of Francisella sp., GM2212, the first Francisella isolate from marine fish, Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

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Abstract

A Francisella sp., isolate GM2212T, previously isolated from diseased farmed Atlantic cod Gadus morhua in Norway is characterized. The complete 16S rDNA, 16S–23S intergenic spacer, 23S rDNA, 23S–5S intergenic spacer, 5S rDNA, FopA, lipoprotein TUL4 (LpnA), malate dehydrogenase and a hypothetical lipoprotein (LpnB) is sequenced and compared with Francisella tularensis and Francisella philomiragia. All these sequences support a close relationship between GM2212T and F. philomiragia. The bacterium grows at 10–25°C with an optimum at about 20°C, a temperature range clearly different from F. tularensis and F. philomiragia. GM2212T is catalase-positive, indole positive, oxidase-negative, do not produce H2S in Triple Sugar Iron agar, and does not hydrolyze gelatin, is resistant to erythromycin and susceptible to ceftazidime, the latter five characteristics separating it from F. philomiragia. Cysteine enhances growth. Acid is produced from d-glucose, maltose, sucrose (weak) but not from lactose or glycerol. GM2212T grows on both MacConkey agar and in nutrient broth (6% NaCl). The bacterium is resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, penicillines, cefuroxime and erythromycin; but is susceptible to ceftazidime, tetracycline, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin. Based on the molecular and phenotypical characteristics, we suggest that this GM2212 isolate, may represent a new species of Francisella. Isolate GM2212T (=CNCM I-3481T = CNCM I-3511T = DSM 18777T).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Post Box 7800, 5020, Bergen, Norway

    Karl F. Ottem, Are Nylund & Egil Karlsbakk

  2. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegårds alle 30, 2650, Hvidovre, Denmark

    Alice Friis-Møller

  3. Intervet Norbio AS, Thormohlensgt 55, 5020, Bergen, Norway

    Bjørn Krossøy

Authors
  1. Karl F. Ottem
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  2. Are Nylund
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  3. Egil Karlsbakk
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  4. Alice Friis-Møller
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  5. Bjørn Krossøy
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Correspondence to Karl F. Ottem.

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Ottem, K.F., Nylund, A., Karlsbakk, E. et al. Characterization of Francisella sp., GM2212, the first Francisella isolate from marine fish, Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Arch Microbiol 187, 343–350 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-006-0198-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-006-0198-1

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