Phylogenetic characteristics of strains of the causative agent of tularemia in the Rostov region and identification of erythromycin-sensitive genovariants

Background. The study of the phylogeography of the tularemia microbe is not only practical, but also of scientific interest, as it allows us to evaluate the evolutionary processes of Francisella tularensis in modern conditions.

Aim. Phylogenetic analysis of strains of the causative agent of tularemia in the Rostov region and identification of erythromycin-sensitive genovariants.

Results. A representative collection of 122 cultures, isolated from various sources from 1945 to 2022, was studied. As it was established, all the studied strains of the causative agent of tularemia had typical cultural, morphological, and biological characteristics. The results of the study of bacteria antibiograms showed that all strains were resistant to β-lactams, polymyxin, clindamycin, and sensitive to aminoglycosides, rifampicin, and fluoroquinolones. In relation to erythromycin, only 2 erythromycin-sensitive strains were found. Phylogenetic analysis of 34 European and Russian strains of F. tularensis made it possible to determine whether these strains belong to subgroup B.7 of the main genetic group B.6.

Conclusion. For the first time, in the Tselinsky district of the Rostov region, the presence of «atypical» genovariants of the tularemia microbe belonging to subgroup B.7 of the main group B.6 of the subspecies holarctica was registered, according to the modern scheme of genetic typing of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica.

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