Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the epidemiological, demographic and clinical characteristics of tularemia patients observed in Eskisehir province of Turkey.

Methods: Probable Tularemia Case Report Forms submitted to Eskisehir Public Health Agency Department of Infectious Diseases between January 2011 and July 2013 were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: In Eskisehir province, the first tularemia epidemic of 75 cases was identified in 2011. As the epidemic continued, 14 cases were identified in 2012. In 2013, when we analyzed the medical records, we observed that only one case was identified in our province until July 2013. The ages of the patients ranged between 3 and 80 (mean 42.48); and 46 (51.1%) of the patients were females, while 44 (48.9%) were males. The most commonly encountered complaints in patients were fatigue (n=62, 68.9%), sore throat (n=62, 68.9%), lymphadenopathy (n=85, 94.4%), and fever (n=51, 56.7%). The  complaints began 1-2 months before admission. 26 of the patients had a history of receiving antibiotics, before diagnosis of tularemia.

Conclusions: In our region, tularemia should be considered in patients with fever, throat pain, and lymphadenopathy. It should be remembered that history of tonsillopharyngitis unresponsive to antibiotics is significant for differential diagnosis of tularemia.