Francisella Tularensis Ulcer

During an outbreak in sweden the use of pcr for diagnosing the ulceroglandular form of tularemia.

Francisella tularensis ulcer. Tularemia is an uncommon zoonotic infection caused by the highly infectious gram negative coccobacillus francisella tularensis. A sore throat vomiting diarrhea and neck glands swelling are characteristic symptoms. Also known as rabbit fever or deer fly fever it typically attacks the skin eyes lymph nodes and lungs. An ulcer may develop at the site of infection figure 2 in which case it is called an ulceroglandular infection.

Francisella tularensis is naturally present in north america. In the united. The ulcer is accompanied by swelling of regional lymph glands usually in the armpit or groin. Ingestion of contaminated food and or water.

The disease mainly affects rabbits hares and rodents such as muskrats and squirrels. Properties of francisella tularensis. Due to a high risk of infection in the laboratory cultivation of the causative agent tends to be avoided. The diagnosis of human cases of tularemia is usually confirmed by the demonstration of an antibody response to francisella tularensis which occurs about 2 weeks after the onset of disease.

Streptomycin is the drug of choice. Naturally occurring tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium francisella tularensis which is a hardy organism capable of surviving for weeks at low temperatures in water moist soil hay straw or decaying animal carcasses. With approximately 120 cases per year in the united states in all states except hawaii major sources of human infection include ticks and rabbits. A skin ulcer appears at the site where the bacteria entered the body.

Because of the highly infectious nature f. Tularemia francisella tularensis clinical criteria any person with at least one of the following clinical forms. The diagnosis of human cases of tularemia is usually confirmed by the demonstration of an antibody response to francisella tularensis which occurs about 2 weeks after the onset of disease. Tularensis can grow on chocolate agar or buffered charcoal yeast extract bcye agar media supplemented with cysteine.

Laboratory diagnosis treatment and prevention of francisella tularensis. Causes highly infectious as few as 10 organisms can cause disease and the organism can enter the human body through skin eyes mouth or lungs but treatable can be treated successfully with antibiotics. Gentamicin is a possible alternative and now considered as drug of choice. Tularensis is currently classified as category a agent of bioterrorism.

Tularemia is caused by the bacterium francisella tularensis. Tularemia can also infect birds sheep and domestic animals such as dogs cats and hamsters. Ulcer caused by tularemia infection. Due to a high risk of infection in the laboratory cultivation of the causative agent tends to be avoided.

Similar to ulceroglandular tularemia but without an ulcer.