Tularemia--an unusual cause of a solitary pulmonary nodule in the post-transplant setting.

Abstract

We report a case of tularemia presenting as a solitary pulmonary nodule following syngeneic PBSC transplant. Seven months after undergoing a syngeneic PBSC transplant for AML, our patient presented with fever without localizing signs. Chest X-ray revealed a solitary pulmonary nodule. Culture of a CT guided needle aspiration revealed Francisella tularensis. The patient was successfully treated with ciprofloxacin. His fever resolved and clearance of the nodule was documented on a CT scan 2 months after diagnosis and initiation of treatment. To our knowledge, this is the only reported case of tularemia occurring in the post-transplant setting. The possible relationship between transplant-induced immune dysfunction and the occurrence of this rare infection is discussed.

• Authors: M Naughton, R Brown, D Adkins, J DiPersio
• Journal: Bone marrow transplantation (Bone Marrow Transplant) Vol. 24 Issue 2 Pg. 197-9 (Jul 1999) ISSN: 0268-3369 [Print] England
• PMID: 10455349 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents
• Ciprofloxacin

Topics

• Anti-Infective Agents (therapeutic use)
• Ciprofloxacin (therapeutic use)
• Francisella tularensis (isolation & purification)
• Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute (therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Radiography
• Transplantation, Homologous
• Tularemia (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, etiology)