TY  - JOUR
TI  - Tularemia in Children: Evaluation of 22 Cases
AB  - Objective: Tularemia is a highly contagious bacterial zoonotic disease de riving from gram-negative Francisella tularensis. The disease is difficult for  clinicians, and due to its rarity, a high level of suspicion is required for di agnosis. The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively examine  the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and responses to treatment  of pediatric tularemia cases treated in our clinic. Material and Methods: Pediatric tularemia cases were included in this  retrospective study. The medical records of patients with confirmed diag noses were examined, and demographic characteristics such as age and  gender, presentation symptoms, and risky contact status were recorded.  Factors such as living in rural areas, working in agriculture and animal  husbandry, similar disease among friends and family, and drinking water  sources were examined. Patients’ physical and laboratory findings, and  medical and surgical treatment results were recorded. Results: Twenty-two pediatric cases were included in the study, 15 (68.2%)  boys and seven (31.8%) girls. The patients were aged mean 12 ± 2.8 (min max; 3-15 years), and 15 (68.2%) were diagnosed in the fall. The mean time  from onset of symptoms to presentation to our hospital was 31.8 ± 20.8  days (min-max; 7-90 days). The most common presentation symptoms  were fatigue (54.5%), fever (45.5%), sore throat (%45.5), lack of appetite  (40.9%), and abdominal pain-diarrhea (31.8%). Cervical lymphadenopathy  (LAP) was determined in all patients at physical examination. Surgical treat ment was applied to 18 (81.8%) patients who did not respond to medical  treatment [abscess drainage to 14 (63.6%) and LAP excision to four (18.2%)]. Conclusion: Tularemia must be considered in terms of early diagnosis and  treatment in children presenting with cervical LAP in endemic regions and  not responding to β-lactam and/or macrolide group antibiotics.
AU  - Köyceğiz, Sinan
AU  - KARS, AYHAN
AU  - Esmeray Şenol, Pelin
DO  - 10.5578/ced.20229906
PY  - 2022
JO  - Çocuk Enfeksiyon Dergisi
VL  - 16
IS  - 1
SN  - 1307-1068
SP  - 41
EP  - 46
DB  - TRDizin
UR  - http://search/yayin/detay/1174720
ER  -