Host-Pathogen interactions during Francisella tularensis infection: of host innate immune responses and virulence factors.

Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative bacterium causing tularemia in humans. This zoonotic agent can infect a wide range of hosts including amoebae, arthropods and mammals. The ability of Francisella to cause disease is linked to its ability to replicate within host cells. Upon phagocytosis by macrophages, Francisella escapes from the phagosome to reach the host cytosol where it can replicate to very high numbers. I will present both the virulence factors controlling the intracellular life cycle and the host factors that detect Francisella in the host cytosol leading to the mounting of an efficient immune response.