A Case of Pulmonary Tularemia Mimicking Lung Cancer

Abstract

Tularemia is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Francisella tularensis. The main reservoir for F. tularensis is lagomorphs, rodents, arthropods, and the hydrotelluric environment. It also can be transmitted by infected animals or by drinking contaminated water. Pulmonary tularemia is a rare form of tularemia mostly transmitted by inhalation. In this report, we present a 51-year-old male patient who was admitted to the hospital with fever, cough, sputum, and chest pain. Biopsy of the lesion compatible with mass on chest radiography revealed granulomatous inflammation. The diagnosis of pulmonary tularemia was made based on a history of rodent contact and tularemia microagglutination test (MAT): 1/1280.