Francisella tularensisType A Strains Cause the Rapid Encystment ofAcanthamoeba castellaniiand Survive in Amoebal Cysts for Three Weeks Postinfection

Francisella tularensis , the causative agent of the zoonotic disease tularemia, has recently gained increased attention due to the emergence of tularemia in geographical areas where the disease has been previously unknown and to the organism's potential as a bioterrorism agent. Although F. tularensis has an extremely broad host range, the bacterial reservoir in nature has not been conclusively identified. In this study, the ability of virulent...