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Tularemia, caused by Francisella tularensis, can exist in nature over a long period of time. The disease can be transmitted by ticks, biting flies, contaminated food and water, and inhalation. F. tularensis infections are particularly common in North America, Europe, and Asia. Tularemia is often water-associated and affects humans and an array of animals, including domestic animals, small wild mammals and fish. The literature about tularemia in horses is limited; however, fever, dyspnea, incoordination and depression have been reported. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of F. tularensis in horse herds in Turkey. A total of 109 horses, aged 36 months and older, were randomly sampled from different regions of Turkey. The serum samples were tested for the presence of antibodies to F. tularensis, using the Microagglutination Test (MAT), which has 51% sensitivity and 99% specificity. The overall (animal), within-herd and between-herd apparent seroprevalence values were calculated as 40.4% (95% CI = 31.6 to 49.8%), 41.1% (95 CI = 32.3 to 50.6%) and 81.8% (95% CI = 52.3 to 94.9%), respectively. The Rogan-Gladen estimator was then used to correct the apparent seroprevalence values to true seroprevalence values of 78.7% overall (95% CI = 61.3 to 97.5%), 80.2% within-herd (95 CI = 62.5 to 99.2%), and 161.6% between-herd (95 CI = 103 to 187.7%). The results provide useful information regarding the prevalence of tularemia in horse herds in Kafkas University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Department of Microbiology, which it is hoped will attract the particular attention of veterinarians, enabling the establishment of an efficient control program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Tularemia was first detected in Thrace region in our country and the outbreaks continued in the region over the following years. The fact that the agent has been identified in mice around Kaynarca in 2012 suggests the disease poses a risk for our region. Aim of this study was to investigate tularemia incidence and presence of Francisella tularensis in streams/mains water in a risky region of Thrace. Methods: In this study, seropositivity for tularemia was investigated in 13 villages, and 1 town in risky areas of the Thrace region. In January 2016, blood was drawn from 746 people and tularemia microagglutination tests were applied. Seropositivity was not detected. In December, 464 of 746 people were reached. Seroconversion was not observed. In addition, culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedures were applied to specimens collected from mains water and streams in 13 villages and 1 town. Results: The causative agent wasn't isolated from the cultures but F. tularensis DNAs were detected by PCR method in 2 stream, and 3 mains water samples. One of the streams passed through the village of Celaliye, which was very close to the Kaynarca, in which tularemia cases were seen in the past. The other was farther, passing through the Kavaklı town in which no cases has been reported. The mains water which were positive were from Hamzabey, Ceylanköy, and Tatarköy villages located around Kaynarca. Molecular examination after chlorination was repeated in the water sources in which positivity was detected, and it was seen that the agent was eliminated. Conclusions: In this study, incidence was calculated as zero, although the causative agent was found in the water. Although no seropositivity was detected, the detection of the agent by PCR in 5 water samples showed that the agents in the nature could reach the water resources. It has been observed that surveillance studies in risky areas could be effective in preventing possible outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis. Here we present an epidemic occurring in Bolu province, located in northwestern Anatolia in Turkey, and some features of the cases. Methodology: The data was provided by the Bolu Provincial Health Directorate. All of the antibody response tests were studied in the National Health Institute (formerly named Refik Saydam Hygiene Department), the reference laboratory of the Ministry of Health of the Turkish Republic. A total of 393 individuals were tested by microagglutination test (MAT) for tularemia between 2006 and 2011. A total of 218 patients whose demographical data were available were included in the study; 83 were accepted as the patient group and 135 were the controls. Of the patients, 31 (37.3%) were male and 52 (62.7%) were female. Results: Fever (p < 0.001), URTI symptoms (p = 0.047), conjunctivitis (p = 0.004), and rash (p = 0.026) were significantly higher in the patient group. A positive association was found between MAT and fever (r = 0.324; p < 0.001), and a negative association was found between MAT and both lymphoadenopathy (r = -0.25; p = 0.013) and chills (r = -0.218; p = 0.035). Higher MAT titers were detected in oropharyngeal tularemia (r = 0.306; p = 0.003). Conclusions: In conclusion, tularemia must be considered in differential diagnosis in patients presenting with fever and LAP in non-endemic regions. Furthermore, water sources and contact with rodents must be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 58-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a two week history of fever, and left axillary lymphadenopathy. She was living in a village endemic for tularemia, but she had no history of any animal contact or a tick bite. She had a wound on the second finger of her left hand which was the probable port of entry for Francisella tularensis. The clinical diagnosis of tularemia was confirmed by a microagglutination test. As this case demonstrated, other forms of tularemia other than oropharyngeal form prevalent in Turkey can be encountered among patients with fever and lymphadenopathy in endemic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]