Francisella tularensis

**Semantic type:** Bacterium

**Definition:** A species of aerobic, Gram negative, coccobacilli shaped bacterium in the phylum Proteobacteria. It has two main serotypes, Jellison Type A and Jellison Type B. This species is hemolytic, oxidase negative, catalase positive and nonfermentative. F. tularensis is pathogenic, being a causative agent of Tularemia which is mainly contracted when handling infected rabbits. This bacterium has been classified as a Category A critical biological agent due to its ease of dissemination by aerosol, causing high mortality with the potential for a major public health impact.

**Synonyms:** - FRANCISELLA TULARENSIS - Pasteurella tularensis - Pasteurella tularensis