Tularemia: an experience of 13 cases including a rare myocarditis in a referral center in Eastern Switzerland (Central Europe) and a review of the literature

Publication

Tularemia: an experience of 13 cases including a rare myocarditis in a referral center in Eastern Switzerland (Central Europe) and a review of the literature

Journal Paper/Review - Jan 17, 2019

Frischknecht Manuel, Meier Angelina, Mani Bernhard, Joerg Lucas, Kim Olaf Chan-Hi, Boggian Katia, Strahm Carol

Citation

Frischknecht M, Meier A, Mani B, Joerg L, Kim O, Boggian K, Strahm C. Tularemia: an experience of 13 cases including a rare myocarditis in a referral center in Eastern Switzerland (Central Europe) and a review of the literature. Infection 2019

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Infection 2019

Publication Date

Jan 17, 2019

Issn Electronic

1439-0973

Brief description/objective

BACKGROUND
Tularemia, a zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis, can cause a broad spectrum of disease in humans including six major clinical presentations: the ulceroglandular, glandular, oculoglandular, oropharyngeal, typhoidal and pneumonic form. The epidemiology and ecology and thus transmission of tularemia are complex, depending on conditions unique to specific locations.

CASE SERIES AND METHODS
Thirteen cases with different forms of the disease and one very rare case of a myocarditis are reported, discussed, and reviewed within the scope of current literature.

CONCLUSION
Tularemia is a rare, but emerging disease in Central Europe with glandular and ulceroglandular disease as its predominant forms. Transmission is mainly caused by contact with lagomorphs, rodents and tick bites. However, domestic cats may play an important role in transmission too. Myocarditis is probably a worldwide, but very rare manifestation of tularemia.