11th International Conference on Tularemia
Tularemia is a rapidly progressive and potentially fatal zoonosis of humans caused by the intracellular bacterial pathogen, Francisella tularensis. Because of its low infectious dose and lethality when inhaled, F. tularensis was developed as a bioweapon by three countries, and remains a potential bioterroist agent. Research and understanding of tularemia pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention have been significantly advanced by the International Conferences on Tularemia, the first of which was held in Umea, Sweden in 1995. Attendance and impact of this triennial series of meetings has grown steadily in subsequent years. At present, this conference is a unique venue that brings together scientists and interested parties from the U.S., Canada, Scandinavia, Europe, Russia, and Japan.
Advancing development of medical countermeasures is an explicit goal of this meeting. Research scientists, clinicians, and trainees at all levels attend; attendees with knowledge and interests outside the Francisella community per se also bring perspective and instructive comparisons. To advance scientific research and promote public health, the conference is designed to provide an environment that fosters collaboration and a free exchange of ideas. Highlights from past meetings include announcing the discoveries of
- the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI);
- the Type VI secretion system encoded by the FPI;
- development of new animal models; detailed genomic and proteomic characterizations that inform epidemiology of disease and development of new therapeutic options;
- identification of immune evasion strategies of the bacterium that advance vaccine development
Tularemia International Society
The interest and the increasing need for communication, exchange of experience and materials, and training in diagnostics and research methods has led to the idea of creating an international scientific society focusing on Tularemia.
Under the umbrella and with active participation of WHO, a group of scientists has met twice in Berlin at the Robert Koch-Institut in 2008/2009 to develop this idea. Finally, the 6th International Conference on Tularemia which was held at Charité, Berlin, from 13 to 16 September 2009 was used to establish the a non-profit organisation: TULAREMIA INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY – with the abbreviations TULISOC. The society is incorporated as a 501 c 3 not-for-profit charity with the tax ID number: 81-4335992.
TULISOC intends to:
- facilitate and encourage the assembly, acquaintance and association of scientists from all geographical regions engaged in tularaemia research;
- foster and encourage discussion and dissemination of the results of research and related matters of interest in this field;
- provide a means to convene appropriate specialists that will serve as a ready resource in the case of specific needs and emergencies;
- promote awareness of the field and of the implications of the research findings;
- promote education and training in the field.
ABOUT THE TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE
The International Conferences fulfill a major purpose of the Tularemia International Society, namely to facilitate the assembly, acquaintance, and association of scientists engaged in tularemia research. Tularemia meetings focus on fundamental, clinical, and applied research regarding any aspect of Francisella tularensis. Research uncovers not only the biology of this fascinating bacterium, but also provides the basis for future development of treatments, preventive interventions, and disease diagnosis.
SPONSORED BY THE TULAREMIA SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL
The most recent, 10th International Conference was held from September 25-28, 2023, at the World Trade Center Grenoble, in Grenoble, France and kept with past traditions by maintaining an interdisciplinary program. The meeting highlighted research efforts on the pathogenesis, cell biology, pathogenesis, animal models, diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, clinical features, ecology, epidemiology, and host responses to Francisella. An overreaching goal of the three day program was to provide an environment that will serve to promote connections and collaboration among scientists doing cutting edge research regarding Francisella.
Please view the online, interactive final program, search authors, titles, and keywords. The final program was designed to reflect the most current and exciting science. The vast majority of speakers were drawn from submitted abstracts. To provide networking opportunities in a collegial setting, a strong program of networking and social events were organized.
Tularemia 2026 Co-Chairs:
- Amy Rasley, PhD, Deputy Group Leader, Microbiology/ Immunology, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, USA
- Nick Fischer, PhD, Staff Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, USA
Scientific Organizing Committee
- Joel Bozue, USAMRIID, USA, email
- Roberto De Pascalis, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA, USA, email
- Carl Gelhaus, Appili Therapeutics, USA, email
- Thomas Henry, INSERM, Lyon, France, email
- Joseph Horzempa, West Liberty University, USA email
- Jason Huntley, Texas A&M College of Medicine USA, email
- Tom Kawula, Washington State University, USA, email
- Girish Kirimanjeswara, The Pennsylvania State University, USA, email
- Karl Klose, University of Texas-San Antonio, USA, email
- Max Maurin, University of Grenoble Alpes, France, email
- Matt Meinig, USAMRIID, USA, email
- Jeannine Petersen, Centers for Disease Control, USA, email
- Lydia Roberts, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH; USA, email
- Marina Šantić, University of Rijeka, Croatia, email
- Anders Sjostedt, University of Umea, Sweden, email
- Jiri Stulik, University of Defence, Czech Republic, email
- Monique L van Hoek, George Mason University email
Working session and abstract submission topics:
Clinical Outcomes, Diagnostics, and Treatment
Clinical outcomes, guidelines, and best practices
Novel therapies and diagnostics
New diagnostic methods for tularemia
Innovative approaches to tularemia treatment
Human infections, diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment
Pathogenesis, Virulence, and Host Interaction
- Determinants of virulence and pathogenesis
- Virulence factors
- Pathogenesis, virulence and interactions with host cells
- Host response to infection (including immunological mechanisms)
- Host immunity
- Animal models
- Nutritional immunity
- Metabolism (host and pathogen)
Epidemiology, Ecology, and Reservoirs
- Epidemiology and ecology
- Epizootological studies in natural foci of tularemia
- The association of tularemia with other natural focal infections
- Persistence of F. tularensis in the environment
- Environmental survival of Francisella tularensis
- The impact of global warming on tularemia epizootics and range shifts of the pathogen, carriers, and transmitters
- Evolution of tularemia endemic areas
Taxonomy, Bacteriology, and Omics
Vaccine Development and Immunological Correlates
- Progress in vaccine development
- Vaccine development
- AI/ML to accelerate correlates of protection
Research Funding and Outlook