Ulceroglandular syndrome (or ulceroglandular tularemia) is the most common form of tularemia ( > 75 % > 7 5 % of cases), caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. It results from skin exposure, typically tick/deer fly bites or handling infected animals (e.g., rabbits). It causes a painful, slow-healing skin ulcer at the entry site, accompanied by tender, swollen regional lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) and fever.

What is ulceroglandular disease?

Ulceroglandular This is the most common form of tularemia and usually occurs following a tick or deer fly bite or after handing of an infected animal. A skin ulcer appears at the site where the bacteria entered the body. The ulcer is accompanied by swelling of regional lymph glands, usually in the armpit or groin.

What symptoms are among the most common presentations in tularemia?

Sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are common in the oropharyngeal form of tularemia. Abdominal pain and intestinal ulcerations are common. Oculoglandular tularemia is marked by redness and pain in the eyes (conjunctivitis), often accompanied by a discharge. Swollen glands are also frequently seen.

What are the symptoms of deer fly disease?

Symptoms vary with how the bacteria enters the body, but common symptoms are ulcers at the bite location, irritation or inflammation of the eye, sore throat, mouth ulcers, cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing.

Do deer flies carry disease to humans?

There is evidence, however, that a species of deer fly in the western U.S. is a vector of the bacterium that causes a disease known by the following three names: "tularemia," "rabbit fever," and "deer fly fever." This role, however, is minor compared to transmission by ticks and other modes included in the following ...

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How do you treat Ulceroglandular tularemia?

Antibiotics are used to treat tularemia.

Commonly used antibiotics include streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin. Tularemia is considered a “select agent” which means the federal government considers it a potential biologic weapon.

Which animal is most severely affected by tularemia?

The disease most often affects lagomorphs (rabbits and hares) and rodents, and outbreaks in these species often result in high death rates. However, hundreds of other wild and domestic mammal species—including people—also are susceptible. Examples of domestic animals include sheep, cats, dogs, pigs, and horses.

What is the deadliest tick-borne disease?

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is the most severe tick-borne illness in the United States. Most people who get RMSF will have a fever, headache, and rash. RMSF is treated with antibiotics; however, if treatment is delayed RMSF can be deadly.

How does a human get tularemia?

Tularemia is a potentially serious illness caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. People can become infected in several different ways, including tick and deer fly bites, and contact with infected animals (especially rodents, rabbits, and hares).

How do I know if my dog has tularemia?

Diagnostic tests typically include a complete blood count (CBC), a blood chemistry panel, and a urinalysis. Testing will reveal a high white blood cell count, low blood sugar, low blood sodium, and a high blood level of bilirubin. There may also be blood in the urine.

How do you know your body is fighting an infection?

Signs and symptoms of an infection

Fever (this is sometimes the only sign of an infection). Chills and sweats. Change in cough or a new cough. Sore throat or new mouth sore.

What happens if tularemia goes untreated?

Some people might recover from tularemia without antibiotics, but the risk for severe complications, including organ damage, is high. Up to 30% of untreated cases of type A tularemia are fatal.

How do you tell if you have tularemia?

Ulceroglandular form: Patients have a skin ulcer(s) and swollen tender glands. Glandular form: Patients have swollen glands without a skin ulcer. Oculoglandular form: Patients have painful, red eyes, often with a yellow discharge and crusting. Swollen glands may occur in the jaw, neck or around the ear.

Can tularemia affect the eyes?

The most common causes are cat scratch disease and tularemia (rabbit fever). The bacteria that cause either condition can infect the eye. The bacteria can directly enter the eye (on a finger or other object), or air droplets that carry the bacteria can land on the eye.

What does a tularemia tick bite look like?

With skin contact or a tick bite, there will be an ulcer (open sore) with swelling of the lymph nodes (glands under the jaw and arms, neck etc.), and a rash may also be present. Eating or drinking food or water containing the bacteria, may produce a throat infection, stomach pain, diarrhea and/or vomiting.

Why should you never flush ticks down the toilet?

You should not flush ticks down the toilet because they are surprisingly resilient and can survive being submerged, potentially coming back up the pipes or surviving the sewage system, though some sources say they can't climb porcelain. Better methods are sealing them in a bag, wrapping tightly in tape, submerging in alcohol, or placing in soapy water to ensure they die and can't transmit disease, as crushing them is dangerous.
 

What is the new tick disease in 2025?

Theileria orientalis is a protozoal organism that is relatively new in the United States. This organism primarily affects cattle and was first discovered in a cow-calf herd in Virginia in 2017. It has since been detected in 23 states, including most recently Iowa and Michigan in 2025.

Has anyone died from alpha-gal syndrome?

A previously healthy New Jersey man has been identified by an allergist at the University of Virginia (UVA) and his coauthors as suffering the first documented fatality from alpha-gal syndrome, a meat allergy triggered by tick bites.

Can squirrels carry tularemia?

Tularemia is an illness caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. It's also known as rabbit fever. Tularemia spreads through contact with animals that have the bacteria. Wild animals—such as hares, rabbits, squirrels, muskrats, beavers, and deer—can have tularemia.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for rabbits?

The 3-3-3 rule for rabbits (and other pets) is a guideline for their adjustment period after adoption: 3 days to decompress and feel overwhelmed, 3 weeks to start learning routines and showing personality, and 3 months to fully feel at home and build trust, emphasizing patience as a new environment is scary for prey animals. 

What is the most common way to get tularemia?

People and animals most commonly get tularemia from a bite by an infected tick or fly, or following contact with an infected animal . Tularemia can be spread to humans from infected pets or wildlife, but is not spread person to person.

What is the gold standard test for tularemia?

Growth of F. tularensis in culture is the gold standard test type for confirming the diagnosis of tularemia. Appropriate specimens include swabs or scrapings of skin lesions, lymph node aspirates or biopsies, pharyngeal washings, sputum specimens, or gastric aspirates, depending on the form of illness.

Do rabbits carry diseases to humans?

Zoonotic diseases associated with rabbits include pasteurellosis, ringworm, mycobacteriosis, cryptosporidiosis and external parasites. Rabbits can transmit bacteria through bites and scratches.

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