Francisella tularensis
Lab test instructions for Francisella tularensis
Diseases
- Tularemia
- Rabbit fever
- Deer-fly fever
Organisms
Francisella tularensis
Test Method
PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
Availability
- All clients must consult with the Section of Epidemiology for approval before testing.
- If approved by Epidemiology, Contact ASPHL Biothreat Team before submitting samples.
Specimen type
- Organism isolate
- blood cultures
- biopsy tissue
- ulcer or lesion scraping or aspirate
- lesion swab
- sputum
- bronchial/tracheal wash
- serum for serological diagnosis
- environmental samples
Specimen collection instructions
Refer to ASM Sentinel Level Clinical Microbiology Guidelines and contact ASPHL with questions.
Storage and transport
- Store refrigerated
- Ship with cool packs
- Ambient temperature shipping is acceptable
- Package and label as UN3373 Biological Substance, Category B
- Ship as quickly as possible
With approval, ship to: Anchorage Public Health Laboratory, ATNN: Special Pathogens Unit.
Results
- Presumptive: F. tularensis detected/not detected
- Confirmatory: F. tularensis detected/not detected
A normal result is not detected.
Turnaround time
2-7 days
