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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

Because it's rare and because it shares symptoms with other diseases, tularemia may be difficult to diagnose. Doctors may check for F. tularensis in a blood or sputum sample that's cultured to encourage the growth of the bacteria. But the preferred way to diagnose tularemia usually is to identify antibodies to the bacteria in a sample of blood. You're also likely to have a chest X-ray to look for signs of pneumonia.

References
  1. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about tularemia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/tularemia/faq.asp. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
  2. Nigrovic LE, et al. Tularemia. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2008;22:489.
  3. Everett. ED. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of tularemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
  4. Everett ED. Microbiology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of tularemia, http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
  5. Eisen RJ, et al. Ecoepidemiology of tularemia in the Southcentral United States. American Journal of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene. 2008;78:586.
  6. Tularemia: Surveillance reported cases by state. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/Surveillance/Tul_CasesbyState.html. Accessed March 2, 2010.
DS00714 April 20, 2010

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