Complete Genome Sequences of Allofrancisella inopinata SYSU YG23 and Allofrancisella frigidaquae SYSU 10HL1970, Isolated from Water from Cooling Systems in China

Abstract

Near neighbors to the causative agent of tularemia, Francisella tularensis, isolated from diverse sources, have been reported in recent years. In this announcement, we present the complete sequences of circular chromosomes of one of the closest neighboring genera of Francisella (i.e., the type strains of Allofrancisella inopinata and Allofrancisella frigidaquae).

Reorganized Genomic Taxonomy of Francisellaceae Enables Design of Robust Environmental PCR Assays for Detection of Francisella tularensis

“…In addition, the genus Francisella includes Francisella -like endosymbionts (FLE) of ticks and ciliates (i.e., F. persica , F. endociliophora , and F. adeliensis ) [ 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Related ‘environmental’ taxa, including F. salina , F. salimarina , F. uliginis , F. frigiditurris , Allofrancisella spp., and Pseudofrancisella aestuarii [ 1 , 2 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], have been isolated or sequenced directly from samples of brackish water, sea water, water from air conditioning systems, cooling towers, and/or other environmental sources, including natural warm springs or ice machines, suggesting that Francisellaceae inhabit a wide diversity of ecological niches. This group includes both opportunistic pathogens and non-pathogenic species that may become aerosolized from air-cooling systems and also be captured on air filters [ 1 , 31 , 32 ].…”