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Tularemia; caused by Francisella tularensis is a zoonotic disease which can be seen endemic in the northern hemisphere. The distribution of tularemia cases according to years and the characteristics of the disease in Ankara province were evaluated in this descriptive study. The number of tularemia cases according to years in Ankara were as follows: 129 cases in 2010, 349 in 2011, 87 in 2012, 2 in 2013, 0 in 2014, 23 in 2015, 86 in 2016, 16 in 2017 and 4 in 2018. 52.3% of cases seen in the years 2010- 2018 were female (n = 364) and 47.7% (n = 332) were male and the mean age was 38.99 ± 18.82. In these cases, the use of waterwork was 66.7%, the use of public fountains was 40.3%, the use of well water was 7.0%, the presence of rodents around was 25.6%. To control tularemia, well water, spring water and fountains outside the grid system must be controlled; used water tanks must be maintained and cleaned at regular intervals. It is important that the water against microbiological contamination are chlorinated by automatic devices and the residual chlorine measurements are made without interruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tularemia is a zoonotic infection caused by Francisella tularensis and has gained renewed importance since there has been a recent increase in the number of human cases in several countries across the world. In this study the existence of F. tularensis in rodents and in water was investigated by culture and PCR techniques. Also, F. tularensis specific antibodies were investigated by serological methods in sheep. At the end of the study, F. tularensis was isolated from one water sample by culture and PCR techniques, on the other hand, 27.6% seropositivity was detected in the blood samples of sheep. [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]