Tularemia: emergency department presentation of an infrequently recognized disease

Am J Emerg Med. 1985 Sep;3(5):415-8. doi: 10.1016/0735-6757(85)90201-3.

Abstract

Tularemia is an uncommon, highly communicable disease occurring with seasonal regularity in endemic parts of the United States. The varied signs and symptoms may confound the unwary physician. Two cases are reported illustrating the ulceroglandular and ingestion forms of the disease. Septic (typhoidal), oculoglandular, pleuropulmonary, glandular, and oropharyngeal forms also are described. Knowledge of the epidemiology and a high index of suspicion should lead the examining physician to ask revealing questions. The diagnosis is presumed upon clinical grounds and confirmed by serological testing. According to published reports delayed diagnosis can result in an overall mortality rate of 7% of cases; however, early diagnosis will lead to uncomplicated recovery in most cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arachnid Vectors
  • Bites and Stings / complications
  • Emergency Service, Hospital*
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin Ulcer / etiology
  • Streptomycin / therapeutic use
  • Ticks
  • Tularemia* / diagnosis
  • Tularemia* / drug therapy
  • Tularemia* / pathology
  • Tularemia* / transmission
  • United States

Substances

  • Streptomycin