Survival of airborne Pasteurella tularensis at different atmospheric temperatures.

The aerosol survival, recovery, and death rate of Pasteurella tularensis SCHU S5 disseminated in particle sizes of 1 to 5 mum were significantly affected by air temperature. The highest aerosol recovery of viable P. tularensis was observed within -7 and 3 C; the recovery decreased significantly below and above this temperature range. The death rate of airborne P. tularensis was not significantly influenced by an increase in temperature from -40 to 24 C. However, a progressive increase in atmospheric temperature from 24 to 35 C resulted in increased death rates; thus, a linear relationship appeared to be present between the temperature and death rates. At 49 C, the recoveries of viable airborne P. tularensis were significantly lower and the death rates were higher than at the other temperatures.