Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
Volume 19, Issue 4, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042011
Keywords
zoonoses; One Health; infectious diseases; animal sentinels; epidemiology; vector-borne disease
Funding
- Bailey Wrigley Fund at the University of California, Davis
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Tularemia, caused by the highly infectious pathogen Francisella tularensis, is a rare zoonotic disease. This case describes a 4-year-old neutered Australian shepherd with Tularemia lymphadenitis. The dog was treated and contact tracing and treatment were carried out for individuals exposed to the disease. This case highlights the importance of animals as sentinels for human health threats and the coordination of human and veterinary care.
Tularemia is a rare zoonotic disease found worldwide. The agent responsible for disease, Francisella tularensis, is one of the most highly infectious pathogens known, one that is capable of causing life-threatening illness with inhalation of <50 organisms. High infectivity explains concerns of its use in bioterrorism. This case describes a 4-year-old male neutered Australian shepherd presented for evaluation of hyporexia and fever. Physical examination revealed marked enlargement of the right superficial cervical lymph node. Tularemia lymphadenitis was diagnosed by lymph node aspiration cytology and culture. Public health officials were advised of the isolation of this zoonotic pathogen, and contact tracing was instituted. Seven individuals associated with the aspiration event were screened for tularemia and treated with prophylactic ciprofloxacin. All were negative, and none became sick. The dog was treated with doxycycline for 3 weeks, and clinical signs and physical examination abnormalities were resolved fully. The owner, a solid organ transplant recipient, was also screened for disease and received prophylactic doxycycline due to a history of shared exposure. The owner remained well throughout the course of his dog's disease and has heightened awareness of potential zoonoses. This case highlights the importance of animals as a sentinel for human health threats and for coordination of human and veterinary care.
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