Francisella tularensis Infection: Tularemia, “Rabbit Fever”

The agent of tularemia, F. tularensis, has a broad host range, including a number of lagomorph species. In the New World, Sylvilagus spp. and Lepus spp. are commonly infected, and in Europe and Japan, Lepus spp. are known to be infected. Notably, wild and domestic O. cuniculus rabbits are resistant to infection. Lesions in susceptible lagomorphs include disseminated pinpoint necrosis and granulomatous inflammation of liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Infections of humans can be acquired by skin abrasions during skinning and bites from infected ticks.