Oropharyngeal tularemia cases admitted to a military hospital in Ankara, Turkey
Introduction: This study aimed to review the possible sources of infection of 16 oropharyngeal tularemia hospital cases, and to document their epidemiological and demographical characteristics, laboratory findings, treatment methods, and treatment results. Methodology: Sixteen cases from a Turkish...
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The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
2014-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
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| Online Access: | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/4332 |
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| author | Ahmet Karakas Omer Coskun Cumhur Artuk Umit Savasci Hanefi Cem Gul Gurkan Mert Ismail Yasar Avci Bulent Ahmet Besirbellioglu Can Polat Eyigun |
| author_facet | Ahmet Karakas Omer Coskun Cumhur Artuk Umit Savasci Hanefi Cem Gul Gurkan Mert Ismail Yasar Avci Bulent Ahmet Besirbellioglu Can Polat Eyigun |
| author_sort | Ahmet Karakas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: This study aimed to review the possible sources of infection of 16 oropharyngeal tularemia hospital cases, and to document their epidemiological and demographical characteristics, laboratory findings, treatment methods, and treatment results.
Methodology: Sixteen cases from a Turkish military hospital between January 2011 and December 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. The age, sex, occupation, place of residence, symptoms, duration of symptoms, laboratory results, treatment and duration, and treatment results were recorded. Tularemia was diagnosed through tularemia-specific tests once the other conditions that may have caused lymphadenopathy were excluded.
Results: Twelve of the patients included in this study were males. The average age of the patients was 32.1±17.2 years. Sore throat, fatigue, and fever were the most frequent symptoms. The mean duration of symptoms was 21.6±6.9 days. All the patients had been treated for tonsillopharyngitis in primary healthcare institutions previously. However, despite the treatment, cervical lymphadenopathy had developed in these cases. Patients were given streptomycin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin monotherapy or in combination. Ten of the cases fully recovered, while five required surgical lymph node drainage. Spontaneous drainage occurred in the single remaining case.
Conclusions: Turkey is considered to be an endemic country with regards to tularemia. Prompt diagnosis and proper treatment of the disease is imperative in providing cure. Since it can be potentially confused with tuberculous lymphadenitis, differential diagnosis is vital. Patients presenting with a condition of tonsillopharyngitis in endemic areas must be carefully monitored.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-73b986720af145bdb35f3d54e2898f96 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1972-2680 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2014-08-01 |
| publisher | The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
| spelling | doaj-art-73b986720af145bdb35f3d54e2898f962025-08-20T02:14:15ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802014-08-0180810.3855/jidc.4332Oropharyngeal tularemia cases admitted to a military hospital in Ankara, TurkeyAhmet Karakas0Omer Coskun1Cumhur Artuk2Umit Savasci3Hanefi Cem Gul4Gurkan Mert5Ismail Yasar Avci6Bulent Ahmet Besirbellioglu7Can Polat Eyigun8Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Etlik, Ankara, TurkeyGulhane Military Medical Academy, Etlik, Ankara, TurkeyGulhane Military Medical Academy, Etlik, Ankara, TurkeyGulhane Military Medical Academy, Etlik, Ankara, TurkeyGulhane Military Medical Academy, Etlik, Ankara, TurkeyGulhane Military Medical Academy, Etlik, Ankara, TurkeyGulhane Military Medical Academy, Etlik, Ankara, TurkeyGulhane Military Medical Academy, Etlik, Ankara, TurkeyGulhane Military Medical Academy, Etlik, Ankara, TurkeyIntroduction: This study aimed to review the possible sources of infection of 16 oropharyngeal tularemia hospital cases, and to document their epidemiological and demographical characteristics, laboratory findings, treatment methods, and treatment results. Methodology: Sixteen cases from a Turkish military hospital between January 2011 and December 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. The age, sex, occupation, place of residence, symptoms, duration of symptoms, laboratory results, treatment and duration, and treatment results were recorded. Tularemia was diagnosed through tularemia-specific tests once the other conditions that may have caused lymphadenopathy were excluded. Results: Twelve of the patients included in this study were males. The average age of the patients was 32.1±17.2 years. Sore throat, fatigue, and fever were the most frequent symptoms. The mean duration of symptoms was 21.6±6.9 days. All the patients had been treated for tonsillopharyngitis in primary healthcare institutions previously. However, despite the treatment, cervical lymphadenopathy had developed in these cases. Patients were given streptomycin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin monotherapy or in combination. Ten of the cases fully recovered, while five required surgical lymph node drainage. Spontaneous drainage occurred in the single remaining case. Conclusions: Turkey is considered to be an endemic country with regards to tularemia. Prompt diagnosis and proper treatment of the disease is imperative in providing cure. Since it can be potentially confused with tuberculous lymphadenitis, differential diagnosis is vital. Patients presenting with a condition of tonsillopharyngitis in endemic areas must be carefully monitored. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/4332Francisella tularensistularemiaoropharyngeal tularemiacervical massTurkey |
| spellingShingle | Ahmet Karakas Omer Coskun Cumhur Artuk Umit Savasci Hanefi Cem Gul Gurkan Mert Ismail Yasar Avci Bulent Ahmet Besirbellioglu Can Polat Eyigun Oropharyngeal tularemia cases admitted to a military hospital in Ankara, Turkey Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Francisella tularensis tularemia oropharyngeal tularemia cervical mass Turkey |
| title | Oropharyngeal tularemia cases admitted to a military hospital in Ankara, Turkey |
| title_full | Oropharyngeal tularemia cases admitted to a military hospital in Ankara, Turkey |
| title_fullStr | Oropharyngeal tularemia cases admitted to a military hospital in Ankara, Turkey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Oropharyngeal tularemia cases admitted to a military hospital in Ankara, Turkey |
| title_short | Oropharyngeal tularemia cases admitted to a military hospital in Ankara, Turkey |
| title_sort | oropharyngeal tularemia cases admitted to a military hospital in ankara turkey |
| topic | Francisella tularensis tularemia oropharyngeal tularemia cervical mass Turkey |
| url | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/4332 |
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