Tularemia From Veterinary Occupational Exposure

Abstract Tularemia is a disease caused by Francisella tularensis, a highly infectious bacteria that can be transmitted to humans by direct contact with infected animals. Because of the potential for zoonotic transmission of F. tularensis, veterinary occupational risk is a concern. Here, we report on...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical infectious diseases 2024-01, Vol.78 (Supplement_1), p.S71-S75
Main Authors: Marx, Grace E, Curren, Emily, Olesen, Marisa, Cronquist, Laura, Schlosser, Levi, Nichols, Matthew, Bye, Maria, Cote, Andrea, McCormick, David W, Nelson, Christina A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abscess
Animals
Dogs
Francisella tularensis
Humans
Occupational Exposure
Tularemia - microbiology
Tularemia - veterinary
Zoonoses - microbiology
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Summary:Abstract Tularemia is a disease caused by Francisella tularensis, a highly infectious bacteria that can be transmitted to humans by direct contact with infected animals. Because of the potential for zoonotic transmission of F. tularensis, veterinary occupational risk is a concern. Here, we report on a human case of tularemia in a veterinarian after an accidental needlestick injury during abscess drainage in a sick dog. The veterinarian developed ulceroglandular tularemia requiring hospitalization but fully recovered after abscess drainage and a course of effective antibiotics. To systematically assess veterinary occupational transmission risk of F. tularensis, we conducted a survey of veterinary clinical staff after occupational exposure to animals with confirmed tularemia. We defined a high-risk exposure as direct contact to the infected animal's body fluids or potential aerosol inhalation without use of standard personal protective equipment (PPE). Survey data included information on 20 veterinary occupational exposures to animals with F. tularensis in 4 states. Veterinarians were the clinical staff most often exposed (40%), followed by veterinarian technicians and assistants (30% and 20%, respectively). Exposures to infected cats were most common (80%). Standard PPE was not used during 80% of exposures; a total of 7 exposures were categorized as high risk. Transmission of F. tularensis in the veterinary clinical setting is possible but overall risk is likely low. Veterinary clinical staff should use standard PPE and employ environmental precautions when handling sick animals to minimize risk of tularemia and other zoonotic infections; postexposure prophylaxis should be considered after high-risk exposures to animals with suspected or confirmed F. tularensis infection to prevent tularemia. Ulceroglandular tularemia in a veterinarian occurred after an accidental needlestick injury. A survey describing 20 veterinary occupational exposures to animals with confirmed tularemia identified no additional cases despite infrequent personal protective equipment usage and inadequate post-exposure prophylaxis after high-risk exposures.
ISSN:1058-4838
1537-6591
DOI:10.1093/cid/ciad687