[Tularemia as a pediatric problem]

The diagnosis of tularemia is based on the clinical picture, and epidemics are brief and local. In children, recognition of tularaemia may be challenging, as an inflamed mosquito bite mark may be covered under the hair, and lymph node enlargement is associated with other febrile diseases as well. Half of the children have vesicopapular skin changes. Fluoroqinolones and aminoglycosides area effective against Francisella tularensis in vitro, and the efficacy of treatment seems to be the better the earlier it is initiated. By discretion, fluoroqinolones can be utilized in the treatment of tularemia also in children.