Work

Behind the COVID-19 Curtain: A Rare Case of Autochthonous Pneumonic Tularemia in Portugal

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The presence of Francisella tularensis has been well documented in Portugal; however, reports of human infection remain rare. We report the case of a 63-year-old woman presenting with pneumonia and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The relapsing course of infection, partial response to fluoroquinolone and macrolide antibiotics, and epidemiological background led to the suspicion of an underlying zoonotic disease. Serology later confirmed F. tularensis infection, and the patient improved under directed therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of autochthonous pneumonic tularemia reported in Portugal.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.99693

Authors: Christine Canizes Paiva, David Lopes Sousa, João Pina Cabral, João Rua

Institution: Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra

Language: English

Topic: Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4417525831