Pulmonary tularemia
ICD-10 A22.2 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of pulmonary tularemia.
Pulmonary tularemia is a severe form of tularemia, a zoonotic infection caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. This disease primarily affects animals, particularly rodents, rabbits, and hares, but can be transmitted to humans through various routes. Pulmonary tularemia occurs when the bacteria are inhaled, leading to respiratory symptoms such as cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. The disease can also present with systemic symptoms including fever, chills, and malaise. Diagnosis is often confirmed through serological tests or culture of the organism from clinical specimens. Due to its potential for aerosol transmission, pulmonary tularemia poses a significant public health risk, particularly in areas where the disease is endemic. Effective management includes prompt antibiotic treatment, typically with streptomycin or doxycycline, and public health measures to control outbreaks and educate at-risk populations about prevention strategies.
Detailed patient history, exposure sources, and laboratory confirmation.
Patients presenting with respiratory symptoms after exposure to wildlife.
Consideration of travel history and endemic areas for accurate diagnosis.
Pulmonary function tests and imaging studies to assess respiratory involvement.
Patients with pneumonia-like symptoms and a history of potential exposure.
Differentiation from other causes of pneumonia is crucial.
When a culture is performed to confirm tularemia.
Document the source of the culture and clinical suspicion.
Infectious disease specialists may require additional lab tests.
Common symptoms include cough, chest pain, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Patients may also experience systemic symptoms such as malaise and fatigue.
Diagnosis is typically made based on clinical presentation, exposure history, and laboratory tests such as serology or culture of F. tularensis.
