A case of Francisella tularensis meningitis in a 64-year-old man treated with quinolones

Infect Dis Now. 2022 Mar;52(2):107-109. doi: 10.1016/j.idnow.2021.06.306. Epub 2021 Jul 7.

Abstract

We report a French case of tularemic meningitis - the second to be thoroughly described - and discuss the existing literature. The patient is a 64-year-old man with no medical history, who developed fever, cutaneous symptoms, and swollen lymph nodes within a week after a hunt. He was then diagnosed with meningitis caused by Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica. Healing was quickly achieved ad integrum within 3 weeks with a course of ciprofloxacin. We discuss the existing literature about this specific issue, and try to shine a light on the superior efficacy and lesser toxicity of quinolones compared to the historical treatment.

Keywords: Meningitis; Treatment; Tularemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Fever
  • Francisella tularensis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningitis*
  • Middle Aged
  • Quinolones* / therapeutic use
  • Tularemia* / diagnosis
  • Tularemia* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Quinolones