Investigation of Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Cases with a Diagnosis of Tularemia During Admission in Kastamonu

Introduction: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate cases with a probable diagnosis of tularemia for clinical and epidemiological characteristics during admission. Materials and Methods: Fifty cases with a probable diagnosis of tularemia were evaluated retrospectively for clinical and epidemiological characteristics during admission to a secondary hospital in Kastamonu in 2012-2013. The cases were classifi ed as “defi nitive tularemia” and “tularemia-like” cases according to their microagglutination test results. The two groups were compared regarding these characteristics. Results: A total of 17 (34.0%) cases were diagnosed as defi nitive tularemia. Glandular and oropharyngeal form (41.1%) was detected most frequently. The onset of complaints in 88.2% (n= 15) of defi nitive tularemia cases and in 51.5% (n= 17) of tularemia-like cases were between December and May. This ratio was higher in defi nitive tularemia cases (p 0.05). Living in rural areas was higher in defi nitive tularemia cases (100.0%), while the usage of central water supply was lower (29.4%) (p 0.05). Conclusion: In endemic regions, tularemia diagnosis should be considered primarily in cases clinically compatible with tularemia and in cases who live in rural areas, do not use central water supply and have similar patients around. Physicians in endemic areas should determine and take into consideration the annual and seasonal distribution characteristics of tularemia cases in their region