Severe infections due to Francisella tularensis ssp. holarctica in solid organ transplant recipient: report of two cases and review of literature

BMC Infect Dis. 2019 Mar 8;19(1):238. doi: 10.1186/s12879-019-3863-0.

Abstract

Background: Tularemia is a rare zoonotic infection caused by bacterium Francisella tularensis. It has been well described in immunocompetent patients but poorly described in immunocompromised patients notably in solid organ transplant recipients.

Case presentations: We report here two cases of tularemia in solid organ transplant recipients including first case after heart transplant. We also carried out an exhaustive review of literature describing characteristics of this infection in solid organ transplant recipients.

Keywords: Francisella tularensis; Molecular diagnosis; Pneumonia; Prevention; Solid organ transplant.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Francisella tularensis / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organ Transplantation
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Transplant Recipients
  • Tularemia / diagnosis*
  • Tularemia / drug therapy
  • Tularemia / parasitology
  • Tularemia / pathology
  • Zoonoses / diagnosis*
  • Zoonoses / drug therapy
  • Zoonoses / parasitology
  • Zoonoses / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents