Laboratory analysis of tularemia in wild-trapped, commercially traded prairie dogs, Texas, 2002.

Oropharyngeal tularemia was identified as the cause of a die-off in captured wild prairie dogs at a commercial exotic animal facility in Texas. From this point source, Francisella tularensis-infected prairie dogs were traced to animals distributed to the Czech Republic and to a Texas pet shop. F. tularensis culture isolates were recovered tissue specimens from 63 prairie dogs, including one each from the secondary distribution sites. Molecular and biochemical subtyping indicated that all isolates were F. tularensis subsp. holarctica (Type B). Microagglutination assays detected antibodies against F. tularensis, with titers as great as 1:4,096 in some live animals. All seropositive animals remained culture positive, suggesting that prairie dogs may act as chronic carriers of F. tularensis. These findings demonstrate the need for additional studies of tularemia in prairie dogs, given the seriousness of the resulting disease, the fact that prairie dogs are sold commercially as pets, and the risk for pet-to-human transmission.

Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of the zoonotic disease tularemia (,). As few as 10 organisms are sufficient to cause severe disease and death, making F. tularensis one of the most infectious bacterial pathogens known. Thus, F. tularensis is considered to be a biological threat agent that poses a substantial risk to public health ().

Infections with F. tularensis are widely distributed and occur in >100 wildlife species in the Northern Hemisphere (,). Two subspecies of F. tularensis are most commonly associated with human and animal disease: tularensis (Type A) and holarctica (Type B) (,). Type A is found almost exclusively in North America and is associated with a severe form of disease in humans and rabbits (Lepus spp.). It is commonly differentiated from Type B by its ability to produce acid from glycerol. Type B is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere (holarctic region); it does not produce acid from glycerol and rarely causes death in humans. Type B is most frequently isolated from rodent species, including muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), mice (Mus musculus), beaver (Castor canadensis), voles (Microtus spp.), and water voles (Arvicola terrestris).

Infections with F. tularensis also occur in the black-footed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) (). This finding has particular public health significance since wild-caught prairie dogs are sold as pets both domestically and internationally. Wild prairie dogs are found throughout the Great Plains of North America from southern Canada to just inside Mexico. Every year, pups are collected in the United States during April through July and are distributed to pet stores throughout the country as well as being exported internationally.

The first literature report of tularemia in captive prairie dogs described F. tularensis infection in three wild-caught animals in 1986 (). Subsequently, F. tularensis infection caused by Type B was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Fort Collins, Colorado, in wild-caught prairie dogs, originating from on animal exporter and shipped to research institutions in Boston and Houston from 1996 to 1997. In the summer of 2000, CDC again confirmed Type B infection in a wild-caught prairie dog. In this case, a family traveling from Ohio purchased two prairie dogs from a dealer in Kansas; one animal died during transport, while the second animal displayed disease and died after they arrived home.

In August of 2002, an outbreak of tularemia was identified as the cause of a die-off among wild-caught, commercially traded prairie dogs at an exotic animal facility in Texas. We describe laboratory findings from this investigation. The epidemiologic findings of the investigation are reported separately (). During this outbreak, many animals died of infection with F. tularensis. However, a small number of surviving animals developed antibodies against F. tularensis, suggesting that prairie dogs can survive an infection of tularemia. All seropositive animals were also found to harbor live infectious bacteria, suggesting that prairie dogs may be persistently infected. These findings have important public health implications in light of commercial prairie dog trade practices.

Materials and Methods

Outbreak Groupings

On August 2, 2002, a total of 163 prairie dogs were found at the exotic animal facility in Texas. These animals were classified into four groups: group A (bin 1, dead), group B (bin 1, live), group C (escapees), and group D (bin 2 and cages, healthy). Group A animals (n = 46) were collected during the last week of July through August 2, 2002. All group A animals had been housed in an uncovered metal tub (bin 1). The live animals remaining in bin 1 were classified as group B (n = 23), with most of the animals being emaciated, dehydrated, and lethargic. Group C (n = 36) comprised escaped prairie dogs that were running free throughout the facility. Group D prairie dogs (n = 58) were physically separated from both group B and C animals, and all group D animals were large, well-nourished, energetic, and noisy. Group D animals were housed in an uncovered metal tub (bin 2) and in several wire cages.

Animals from the Texas facility that had been sent to other locations made up two additional groups. Group E animals comprised seven prairie dogs that originated from the Texas facility, were distributed to pet shops in Texas, and recalled once F. tularensis was identified as the cause of the outbreak. Group F comprised 100 prairie dogs shipped from the Texas facility to the Czech Republic.

Culture Recovery of F. tularensis

All prairie dogs at the Texas facility (n = 163) were necropsied on site, and tissues were surgically removed. Appropriate biosafety measures were adhered to, including the use of closed front gowns, N95 masks, glasses, and gloves. Spleen and liver samples were spread onto cysteine heart agar supplemented with 9% sheep blood (CHAB). Plates were sealed with parafilm and transported in ice coolers (~15°C–20°C) until arrival at the CDC laboratory, Fort Collins, Colorado (~72 hours). Culture plates were then transferred to a biosafety level (BSL) 3 incubator at 37°C for 5 days and checked daily for F. tularensis growth. Some tissues were also spread onto CHAB medium containing antibiotics (), incubated at 37°C for 7 days, and checked daily for F. tularensis growth. A culture isolate from prairie dogs shipped to the Czech Republic was grown at the State Veterinary Administration, Prague, Czech Republic, and submitted to our laboratory.

Spleen and liver tissues were injected into pathogen-free Swiss-Webster outbred mice for culture recovery of F. tularensis (IACUC Protocol 00-06-018-MUS). Tissues (~1 gm) from individual prairie dogs were ground with mortar and pestle, resuspended in 2 mL of saline and 0.5 mL of the tissue suspension was injected subcutaneously (s.c.) into mouse. All injections were performed in a BSL2 animal facility, and appropriate biosafety measures were followed, including the use of closed front gowns, N95 masks, glasses, and gloves. Animals were euthanized when signs and symptoms of tularemia were evident. After euthanasia was performed, 0.5 to 1.0 mL of whole blood was removed by cardiac puncture with a 1.0 mL tuberculin syringe. Liver and spleen tissues were surgically removed and spread onto CHAB with sterile wooden sticks. All healthy injected mice were euthanized 21 days after injection, and serum was tested for anti-F. tularensis antibody.

Direct Fluorescent Assay (DFA)

Slide touch preparations of tissues were prepared and heat-fixed immediately after necropsy at the Texas animal facility. On arrival at the laboratory, all slides were incubated with FITC-labeled rabbit anti-F. tularensis subsp. tularensis (SchuS4 strain) antibodies (CDC) for 30 minutes at room temperature. Slides were washed twice in phosphate-buffered saline, followed by a final rinse with dH2O and viewed with a fluorescent microscope using the 40X objective and a 490 nm filter. Direct fluorescent activity was scored independently by two technicians experienced with F. tularensis DFA.

Serologic Findings

For all group B, C, and D animals, blood samples were collected from euthanized animals by cardiac puncture. Blood was collected into Microtainer brand serum separator tubes (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ) and maintained at 4°C until arrival at the laboratory (~72 h). Serum was separated, heat-inactivated for 30 min at 56°C, and tested for F. tularensis specific antibodies by using a standard microagglutination assay (). Briefly, serial dilutions of serum were incubated overnight with safranin-stained, formalin-killed F. tularensis subsp. tularensis (SchuS4 strain) cells at room temperature, and a titer was assigned reflecting the last well demonstrated full agglutination. Samples with a titer of 1:128 or greater were reported as positive.

Confirming F. tularensis

Prairie dogs were confirmed positive on recovery of an isolate with characteristic growth on CHAB and positive results by DFA or ISFtu2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Animals were considered presumptive positive if tissues tested positive by DFA or PCR, but no isolate was obtained. Prairie dogs were considered negative if all three diagnostic tests (culture, DFA, serologic testing) failed to detect any evidence of F. tularensis infection. For negative samples, recovery of culture included passage of the spleen and liver tissues through mice injected with F. tularensis.

F. tularensis Subtyping

For molecular subtyping, DNA was prepared after injection of a 1 μL loop of culture into 200 μL TE buffer. Cells were lysed by boiling at 95°C for 10 min. A differential PCR, based on the presence or absence of the ISFtu2 element (GenBank accession no. AY06), was performed by using 1 μL of the lysed bacterial supernatant and the primers TuF1705 (5′-GATAGATACACGCCTTGCTCACA-3′) and TuBR431(5′-ACCCAGCCAATGCCTAAATA-3′) (Y. Zhou, unpub. data). The amplification program included a denaturation cycle at 95°C for 2 min, followed by 35 amplification cycles of 95°C for 30 s, 55°C for 30 s, and 72°C for 1 min, and a final elongation cycle of 72°C for 5 min. PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, followed by staining with EtBr and visualization with a Bio-Rad Gel Doc UV system (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA). For biochemical subtyping, the 96-well automated MicroLog MicroStation System with GN2 Microplates (Biolog Inc, Hayward, CA) was used. Microplates were set up and analyzed per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Statistical Analysis

McNemar’s test was used for statistical analysis. Sensitivities of different diagnostic tests were evaluated for their ability to detect F. tularensis in a given population of animals (either live or dead animals).

Results

Laboratory Findings

F. tularensis–infected prairie dogs from the Texas animal facility were traced to Texas pet shops and animals shipped to the Czech Republic. From these three sources, 177 prairie dogs (1 animal whose illness initiated the investigation [12], 163 animals that remained onsite at the Texas facility, 7 animals recalled from Texas pet shops, and 6 animals shipped to the Czech Republic) were tested. Of these animals, 63 were confirmed positive, 13 were identified as presumptive positives, and 101 were confirmed negative for F. tularensis infection (Table 1).

Table 1

Laboratory results for outbreak of tularemia in wild-trapped, commercially sold prairie dogs

Group	Prairie dogs	No. of animals	Presumptive-positive samplesa	Confirmed-positive samplesb	Confirmed-negative samplesc
A	Exotic animal facility, Texas, bin 1, dead animals	47d	7	40	0
B	Exotic animal facility, Texas, bin 1, live animals	23	0	20	3
C	Exotic animal facility, Texas, escapees	36	0	1	35
D	Exotic animal facility, Texas bin 2 and cages, healthy	58	0	0	58
E	Pet shop recalls, originating from exotic animal facility, Texas	7	1	1	5
F	Czech Republic, originating from exotic animal facility, Texas	100	5	1	Not determined

aPrairie dogs were confirmed positive on recovery of an isolate with characteristic
growth on cysteine heart agar with 9% sheep blood and positive testing of the isolate by direct fluorescent assay (DFA) or ISFtu2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
bPrairie dogs were considered presumptive positive if primary tissues tested positive by
DFA or PCR but no isolate was obtained.
cPrairie dogs were confirmed negative if all three diagnostic tests (culture, DFA, serologic testing) failed to detect any evidence of Francisella tularensis infection.
d46 animals that remained on site August 2, 2002, plus 1 animal that initiated the outbreak
investigation (TX021935)

F. tularensis Isolates from Infected Prairie Dogs

Because prairie dogs were sold commercially as pets and the risk for pet-to-human transmission was unknown, determining which groups (A–D) of animals were potentially infectious was important. Subtyping the F. tularensis isolates was also important, since this outbreak carried the threat of international dissemination. Therefore, our laboratory efforts focused on recovery of viable organisms. In total, 63 isolates were recovered (Table 1): 61 from prairie dogs at the Texas facility (groups A–C), 1 isolate from prairie dogs recalled from Texas pet shops (group E), and 1 isolate from prairie dogs distributed to the Czech Republic (group F).

Biochemical and Molecular Typing of F. tularensis Isolates

For subtyping of the 63 F. tularensis isolates (63 isolates described here, including 1 isolate that initiated the investigation, TX021935 []), a combination of biochemical and molecular typing was used. Biochemical characterization was performed on 15 isolates representative of all five groups of F. tularensis–positive animals (groups A, B, C, E, F). All 15 F. tularensis isolates were unable to use glycerol as a carbon source and thus were classified as Type B (data not shown). In addition, six representative isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibilities and demonstrated MICs consistent with those published previously for Type B (data not shown, ).

To distinguish molecularly between Type A and Type B, a differential PCR based on the presence or the absence of the ISFtu2 element was performed (Y. Zhou, unpub. data). For Type A, a PCR product of 390 bp was amplified, whereas for Type B, a product of 1,249 bp was amplified. When ISFtu2 PCR subtyping was performed on all 63 isolates, all were shown to be Type B, including the single isolate received from the Czech Republic. Representative ISFtu2 PCR subtyping for the five groups (A, B, C, E, and F) of F. tularensis–positive animals is shown in Figure 1. Additional analysis with ISFtu2 restriction fragment length polymorphisms southern blotting demonstrated that the F. tularensis isolates were molecularly indistinguishable (data not shown).

Figure 1

Molecular subtyping of representative Francisella tularensis isolates from Groups A, B, C, E, and F prairie dogs. The expected size PCR fragments for F. tularensis subsp. tularensis (Type A) and holarctica (Type B) are shown in lanes 1 and 2, respectively. Subtyping results for the five groups (A, B, C, E, F) are shown in lanes 3–9. Lane 3: TX021935 (A); lane 4: TX022151 (A); lane 5: TX022537 (B); lane 6: TX022592 (B); lane 7: TX022799 (C); lane 8: TX022107 (E); lane 9: CZ024233 (F). Lane 10: no DNA template control. Lane M: molecular weight markers.

Texas Facility Investigation (Groups A–D)

The animals remaining at the Texas facility (groups A–D) provided insight into how tularemia was transmitted among the prairie dogs. When necropsies were performed on animals in groups A–D, cannibalization, as indicated by partially eaten prairie dog carcasses, was noted among group A animals. In addition, all group A and most of group B animals displayed swollen submandibular lymph nodes, suggesting that all animals ingested the bacteria.

Because all prairie dogs from the Texas facility (groups A–D) were tested and classified as confirmed positive, presumptive positive, or negative (Table 1), diagnostic test sensitivities could be determined. From the 68 prairie dogs at the Texas facility that tested positive for F. tularensis by one or more diagnostic methods (culture, DFA, serologic testing), 61 isolates were recovered, yielding an overall culture recovery rate of 89.7%.

Detecting F. tularensis in Live, Infected Animals

For determining F. tularensis infection in live, infected animals, the sensitivities of culture versus DFA and serologic testing were compared (Table 2). Testing all 59 animals in groups B and C, confirmed 21 animals as F. tularensis–positive and 38 animals as F. tularensis–negative (Table 1). For the 20 animals confirmed positive by analysis of spleen and liver tissues, culture detected F. tularensis in 100% of cases. In contrast, both DFA and serologic testing detected F. tularensis in 10 of 20 animals, yielding a sensitivity of only 50% (Table 2). These differences were significant (p < 0.05) and demonstrate that culture of spleen and liver tissues is more sensitive than DFA or serologic testing for detecting F. tularensis in live, infected prairie dogs.

Table 2

Comparison of diagnostic sensitivities of culture and direct fluorescent assay (DFA) for detection of Francisella tularensis in live versus dead prairie dogs (groups A–C)

Prairie dogsa	No. (%) of samples positive for:
	Culture (spleen/liver)	Direct fluorescence (spleen/liver)	Direct fluorescence (lymph node)	Serologic testing
Groups B, C; live, infected animals (n = 20)	20 (100)	10 (50)	17 (89.5)b	10 (50)
Group A, dead animals (n = 47)	40 (85.1)	47 (100)	Not tested	Not tested

aAll 67 prairie dogs tested positive for F. tularensis by at least one diagnostic test (culture, DFA, or serologic testing).
b19 F. tularensis–positive animals were tested.

Since the outbreak was consistent with oropharyngeal tularemia, submandibular lymph nodes of group B animals were also analyzed. When lymph nodes were cultured, an additional case was confirmed by isolation of F. tularensis from animal B17 (Table 3). The bacterium was not cultured from the spleen and liver of this prairie dog even on passage of tissues through Swiss-Webster mice. This finding suggested that prairie dog B17 had recently ingested F. tularensis and that the infection was localized to the submandibular lymph nodes.

Table 3

Diagnostic test results for culture–positive group B prairie dogsa

Prairie dog	DFA (spleen/liver)	DFA (submandibular lymph node)	Serologic testing (microagglutination assay)
B1	+	+	1:512	Pos
B2	+	+	1:32	Neg
B3	+	+	1:8	Neg
B4	–	+	1:1,024	Pos
B5	–	+	1:4,096	Pos
B6	+	+	1:512	Pos
B7	–	+	1:512	Pos
B8	+	No sample	1:8	Neg
B10	+	+	1:4	Neg
B11	–	+	1:256	Pos
B12	–	–	1:1,024	Pos
B13	–	–	0	Neg
B14	–	+	1:128	Pos
B15	+	+	1:64	Neg
B16	+	+	1:16	Neg
B17	–	+	0	Neg
B18	+	+	1:512	Pos
B19	+	+	1:4	Neg
B20	–	+	1:128	Pos
B21	–	+	1:16	Neg

aDFA, direct fluorescent assay; Neg, negative; Pos, positive.

To determine if lymph node tissues were a better tissue source than either spleen or liver tissues for detection of F. tularensis, DFA was used for direct comparison of tissues from culture-positive group B animals (Table 2). When spleen and liver tissues were analyzed, the sensitivity of DFA was 50%, whereas for analysis of submandibular lymph node tissues the sensitivity of DFA was 89.5% (Table 2). This difference in sensitivities was significant (p < 0.05) and demonstrates that for cases of oropharyngeal tularemia, submandibular lymph node tissues are the most appropriate source for detecting infection by DFA.

Detecting F. tularensis in Fatal Cases of Tularemia

For fatal cases of tularemia, the sensitivity of culture and DFA was also compared (Table 2). Of the 47 animals in group A, 40 were confirmed positive, and 7 were presumptive positive for F. tularensis (Table 1). Direct fluorescence analysis of spleen and liver tissues identified all 47 animals as F. tularensis positive, yielding a sensitivity of 100%. In contrast, 40 F. tularensis isolates were obtained, yielding a sensitivity of 85.1%. These results were significant and demonstrated that DFA was more sensitive than culture for detection of F. tularensis in carcasses (p < 0.05).

Seropositivity and Decreased F. tularensis Levels in Live, Infected Animals

To test for evidence of seroconversion in live, infected animals, serum samples from group B prairie dogs were checked for anti-F. tularensis antibodies. Ten animals showed evidence of seroconversion, displaying titers against F. tularensis as great as 1:4,096 (Table 3). To our knowledge, this evidence is the first that prairie dogs can develop specific antibodies on infection with F. tularensis. In addition, F. tularensis was successfully recovered from the spleen of all 10 seropositive animals, suggesting that prairie dogs may become persistently infected.

Comparison of DFA results for seropositive and seronegative prairie dogs indicated that the levels of F. tularensis in liver and spleen were greatly decreased in seropositive prairie dogs. In 7 of 10 seropositive prairie dogs, F. tularensis was not detectable by DFA analysis of spleen and liver tissues (Table 3, Figure 2, panel b). Conversely, 7 of 10 seronegative animals were positive by DFA analysis of spleen and liver tissues (Table 3, Figure 2, panel a). These findings demonstrate that seropositivity in prairie dogs leads to decreased levels of F. tularensis and may suggest that seropositive prairie dogs can survive an acute infection of oropharyngeal tularemia.

Figure 2

Direct fluorescent assay (DFA) results on spleen tissues from a seronegative (panel a) and seropositive (panel b) prairie dog.

Discussion

In our study, we documented the laboratory results from an outbreak of oropharyngeal tularemia among wild-caught, commercially distributed prairie dogs. F. tularensis–infected prairie dogs from the Texas animal facility were traced to Texas pet shops and to the Czech Republic. Our findings indicate that the primary mechanism of transmission was ingestion of F. tularensis, as all infected prairie dogs displayed enlarged submandibular lymph nodes, a hallmark of oropharyngeal tularemia. In addition, all prairie dogs (group D) physically separated from sick animals were negative for F. tularensis infection, demonstrating that the outbreak of tularemia at the Texas facility required contact with infected animals. While other modes of bacterial ingestion cannot be ruled out, this outbreak most likely resulted from cannibalism of dead animals. Cannibalism, as evidenced by partially eaten carcasses, was observed at the Texas facility as well as in the shipment of animals to the Czech Republic. In nature, cannibalism occurs in rodents and has been previously documented as the cause for spread of tularemia (,). Studies of the black-tailed prairie dog in nature have also documented cannibalism (). At the Texas exotic animal facility, group A and B animals were placed together in a single metal bin, which allowed unnaturally close contact and conditions. Also, the use of wood chip bedding increased the likelihood that buried carcasses would not be seen, probably contributing to delayed removal of deceased animals, thereby increasing the opportunity for cannibalism.

Since, F. tularensis in pet prairie dogs presented an unaddressed public health threat for their owners, we focused our efforts on the recovery of live organisms. We were able to culture infectious bacteria from both dead and live, infected animals. Moreover, our study is the first to provide evidence that prairie dogs can develop antibodies against F. tularensis. The seropositive prairie dogs might have survived long-term, since these animals had decreased levels of infecting bacteria and were blood-culture negative (unpub. data). These findings raise the possibility that persistent infection occurs in prairie dogs and suggests a potential role of prairie dogs as reservoirs of F. tularensis in nature. Our findings with prairie dogs are very similar to previous reports documenting chronic infection in seropositive voles infected orally with F. tularensis (,). In one of those studies, seropositive voles were shown to harbor live F. tularensis for as long as 313 days.

Although culture is considered the standard criterion for identification, F. tularensis is a fastidious organism making culture recovery a challenge, especially when analyzing animal carcasses. Tissues from dead animals are often overgrown with normal flora and other environmental contaminants. Past studies with carcasses have had limited success, and the culture recovery rates were approximately 30% (). We achieved a culture recovery rate of 89.7% from F. tularensis–infected animals (both live and dead animals), demonstrating the sensitivity and usefulness of culture. In light of our findings, we suggest that culture on CHAB media containing antibiotics be attempted more routinely for diagnosis of F. tularensis infection in animal and field specimens such as water, mud, and grass or hay.

Additionally, when culture was used for detection of F. tularensis in animals that did not die of the disease, we found it more sensitive than either DFA (50%) or serologic testing (50%) and capable of detecting F. tularensis in all cases (100%). This high culture recovery rate is probably due to the freshness and relatively uncontaminated state of the specimens used for culture. The comparatively low detection levels of DFA and serologic testing were likely influenced by the fact that these animals were at varying stages of infection (acute phase and convalescent phase), making diagnosis by either DFA or serologic testing less than optimal. This suggests that for surveillance studies of F. tularensis infection in wild rodent populations, culture of fresh tissues is the preferred diagnostic method.

In contrast, in detecting F. tularensis in animals that died of the disease, DFA was more sensitive than culture (85.1%) and capable of detecting F. tularensis in all animals. For animals with fatal cases of tularemia in prairie dogs, the levels of F. tularensis were extremely high in both spleen and liver, simplifying identification by DFA. Culture recovery of F. tularensis was probably more difficult because of deterioration of the samples and loss of bacterial viability over time. Indeed, F. tularensis in the tissues of the seven presumptive-positive animals was noncultivatable and noninfectious as shown by passage of the tissues through Swiss-Webster mice.

Presumably, one or more F. tularensis–infected prairie dogs were among the thousands trapped and shipped to the Texas exotic animal facility. On arrival at the facility, the infected prairie dogs died. The bacterium was then transmitted throughout hundreds of prairie dogs at the facility most likely as the result of cannibalism. Several cases (Introduction and 7) of tularemia in prairie dogs have now been documented, suggesting that a proportion of wild prairie dogs harbor live F. tularensis. Environmental stresses, such as capture, transit, and crowding, may induce productive infection that manifests as severe disease and death. Given the seriousness of the resulting disease and the public health risk for pet-to-human transmission, long-term studies are needed to determine the length of time seropositive prairie dogs can harbor live F. tularensis and whether they are reservoirs of tularemia in nature.