Mapping the Genetics of Host Resistance to Francisella tularensis

摘要 土拉方杆菌具有繁殖容易、寄主范围广、传播途径多、毒力强等特点，是一种潜在的生物武器。发病率和死亡率最高的是吸入图拉氏丝虫引起的肺炎性图拉热症。关于宿主对图拉氏丝虫感染的易感性的遗传变异知之甚少。C57/B6与DBA近交系 小鼠品系对图拉氏丝虫感染表现出不同程度的敏感性。通过与B/6和DBA品系杂交，培育出了一系列小鼠品系。我们正在用高毒力的Schu S4土拉氏杆菌株经鼻接种的途径来确定这些杂交菌株对图拉氏丝虫的敏感性。这些结果将被用来定位对图拉氏丝虫感染的遗传抗性和易感等位基因。 以确定影响对这种感染性病原体易感性的宿主特征。

Abstract The bacterial pathogen Francisella tularensis is a potential biological weapon by virtue of its ease of propagation, broad host range, myriad of transmission routes and extraordinary virulence. The highest morbidity and mortality is associated with pneumonic tularemia initiated by inhalation of F. tularensis. Little is known about genetic variations in host susceptibility to F. tularensis infections. C57/B6 and DBA inbred mouse strains exhibit varying susceptibility to F. tularensis infection. A series of mouse strains have been created by crossing the B/6 and DBA lines. We are determining the susceptibility of these cross-bred strains to F. tularensis using an intranasal inoculation route of infection with highly virulent Schu S4 F. tularensis strain. The results will be used to map genetic resistance and susceptibility alleles to F. tularensis infection in order to define host traits that affect susceptibility to this infectious agent.