title: Emergence of tularemia in France: paradigm of the Burgundy region.
abstract: We report three consecutive cases of tularemia occurring in Burgundy, France, a region previously considered not endemic for tularemia. The patients presented with varied and unspecific clinical manifestations. The epidemiological circumstances, especially the mode of contamination, were not particularly suggestive of tularemia. Serological diagnosis was delayed in two cases because of the lack of significant antibody titers at the time of admission. In contrast, a diagnosis could readily be obtained in all three cases by detection of Francisella tularensis DNA from clinical samples using PCR-based methods. These cases highlight the increased incidence and geographical spread of tularemia in France, and the usefulness of real-time PCR technology for the early diagnostic confirmation of tularemia.
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Dijon, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahy
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chavanet
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Piroth
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duong
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pelloux
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maurin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005602:France; D005604:Francisella tularensis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014406:Tularemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D004318:Doxycycline