Evaluation of Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Tularemia Suspected Cases in Kastamonu between 2014-2017 years

Aim: Tularemia is a zoonosis caused by Francisella tularensis. It appears as local outbreaks or sporadic cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate tularemia suspected cases in terms of clinical and epidemiological characteristics during admission. Material and Methods: Thirty six tularemia suspected cases were evaluated retrospectively in terms of clinical and epidemiological characteristics between 2014-2017 years. Diagnosis was made when tularemia microagglutination test was positive at 1/160 titer and above. Results: Among 36 suspected patients, four (11%) was diagnosed with tularemia. Of the total four cases diagnosed with tularemia, three applied in 2017 (two cases in February, one in April) and the other one applied at the end of 2016 (December). Among the patients applied in 2017, two of them applied in February and the other one in April. Oropharyngeal form was detected in two patients, glandular form in one and oculoglandular form in one. All of the tularemia cases came from the same region (Cide district). History of three patients included the presence of alive or dead mouse, rabbit or rodent in the environment of home. Conclusion: Tularemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with cervical lymphadenopathy who came from risky places especially in winter season. In endemic areas, knowledge of annual and monthly distribution of tularemia cases may be useful in providing early diagnosis to risk groups