Tularemia–a re-emerging disease with growing concern
Issued Date
2023-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01652176
eISSN
18755941
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85177234295
Pubmed ID
37916743
Journal Title
Veterinary Quarterly
Volume
43
Issue
1
Start Page
1
End Page
16
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Veterinary Quarterly Vol.43 No.1 (2023) , 1-16
Suggested Citation
Sharma R., Patil R.D., Singh B., Chakraborty S., Chandran D., Dhama K., Gopinath D., Jairath G., Rialch A., Mal G., Singh P., Chaicumpa W., Saikumar G. Tularemia–a re-emerging disease with growing concern. Veterinary Quarterly Vol.43 No.1 (2023) , 1-16. 16. doi:10.1080/01652176.2023.2277753 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/91328
Title
Tularemia–a re-emerging disease with growing concern
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Tularemia caused by Gram-negative, coccobacillus bacterium, Francisella tularensis, is a highly infectious zoonotic disease. Human cases have been reported mainly from the United States, Nordic countries like Sweden and Finland, and some European and Asian countries. Naturally, the disease occurs in several vertebrates, particularly lagomorphs. Type A (subspecies tularensis) is more virulent and causes disease mainly in North America; type B (subspecies holarctica) is widespread, while subspecies mediasiatica is present in central Asia. F. tularensis is a possible bioweapon due to its lethality, low infectious dosage, and aerosol transmission. Small mammals like rabbits, hares, and muskrats are primary sources of human infections, but true reservoir of F. tularensis is unknown. Vector-borne tularemia primarily involves ticks and mosquitoes. The bacterial subspecies involved and mode of transmission determine the clinical picture. Early signs are flu-like illnesses that may evolve into different clinical forms of tularemia that may or may not include lymphadenopathy. Ulcero-glandular and glandular forms are acquired by arthropod bite or handling of infected animals, oculo-glandular form as a result of conjunctival infection, and oro-pharyngeal form by intake of contaminated food or water. Pulmonary form appears after inhalation of bacteria. Typhoidal form may occur after infection via different routes. Human-to-human transmission has not been known. Diagnosis can be achieved by serology, bacterial culture, and molecular methods. Treatment for tularemia typically entails use of quinolones, tetracyclines, or aminoglycosides. Preventive measures are necessary to avoid infection although difficult to implement. Research is underway for the development of effective live attenuated and subunit vaccines.