Query: NC_016933:141984 Francisella tularensis TIGB03 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Francisella tularensis; Francisella; Francisellaceae; Thiotrichales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This organism was first identified by Edward Francis as the causative agent of a plague-like illness that affected squirrels in Tulare county in California in the early part of the 20th century. The organism now bears his name. The disease, which has been noted throughout recorded history, can be transmitted to humans by infected ticks or deerflies, infected meat, or by aerosol, and thus is a potential bioterrorism agent. This organism has a high infectivity rate, and can invade phagocytic and nonphagocytic cells, multiplying rapidly. Once within a macrophage, the organism can escape the phagosome and live in the cytosol. It is an aquatic organism, and can be found living inside protozoans, similar to what is observed with Legionella.
Subject: NC_008570:1094442 Aeromonas hydrophila subsp. hydrophila ATCC 7966, complete genome
Lineage: Aeromonas hydrophila; Aeromonas; Aeromonadaceae; Aeromonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Isolated from canned milk from the USA. Aquatic organism that can cause foodborne illnesses in humans. This organism is an enviromental bacterium that is often found in aquatic habitats, but can also be found contaminating food products. It causes a variety of diseases in both cold-blooded and warm-blooded organisms. The bacterium is becoming a problematic pathogen in humans, where it causes gastroenteritis and septicemia, mainly due to the development of antibiotic resistance by this organism. One of the major virulence factors is aerolysin, a toxin that is produced and secreted by the cell via a type II secretion apparatus. Other virulence functions include a surface layer which inhibits complement-mediated killing, type IV pili for attachment, and a set of extracellular proteases which can cause tissue damage.