Field detection of Francisella tularensis

A field investigation was undertaken following an outbreak of water-borne t ularemia in Northern Norway. Francisella tularensis bacterial cellular comp onents were analysed by rapid immunochromatography (RI)-testing, enzyme-lin ked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Water from 1 reservoir, fed from a rapid stream, tested negative, From another re servoir, 2 of a chain of 3 wells tested negative. The third well, at the en d of the chain, contained lemming (Lemmus lemmus) carcasses and gave ample proof of F. tularensis contamination, We concluded that the origin of the o utbreak was dead, infective lemming carcasses in the water sources, For the various sampling materials, the RI-test proved itself particularly handy a nd versatile, compared with the ELISA and the PCR.