One of the many disease agents against which BioDiem antimicrobial BDM-I is being tested for activity is the bacterium Francisella tularensis which causes the serious disease tularemia.One of the many disease agents against which BioDiem antimicrobial BDM-I is being tested for activity is the bacterium Francisella tularensis which causes the serious disease tularemia. This bacterium is most often spread by biting insects who have also bitten infected small mammals. Fevers and anorexia are two of the symptoms which can occur during infection, which can spread rapidly and lead to death. The US-based National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have produced the animation below which explains the dangers of tularemia.