Tularemia

Tularemia is an infectious disease that cause lymphadenopathy.

General

• Caused by Francisella tularensis, a Gram-negative coccobacillus.
• Rare.

Treatment:

• Antibiotics.

Gross

• Lymphadenopathy.
  • Typically axillary or cervical (like cat scratch disease).

Microscopic

Features:

• Necrotizing granulomas with:
  • Neutrophils present in microabscess (necrotic debris) - key feature.
    • Microabscesses often described as "stellate" (star-shaped).
• Microorganisms consistent with F. tularensis.

DDx of stellate abscess in lymph nodes - cat split:

• Cat-scratch disease.
• Sporotrichosis.
• Lymphogranuloma venereum.
• Tularemia.

See also

• Lymph node pathology.