First Seroprevalence Survey of Children with Tularemia Infection in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, Iran

Background and Objectives: An increasing number of tularemia was reported in all over the world. This infection is characterized by different clinical syndromes that can be considered in differential diagnosis of infectious disease. Despite effective antibiotics against Francisella tularensis, this infection is still as one of the agent of mortality and disability among infectious disease. The aim of this study was investigation of seroepidemiological of F. tuleransis among children between 2-18 years old in a risky zone in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional, laboratory-based study in two distinct villages Saragha seyed and Khoye in Chaharmahal va bakhtiari Province involved 183 children, adolescents who had no sign and symptom of disease and were screened for tularemia immunoglobulins G (IgG), using the ELISA-based quantitative assay. Results: In general, from 183 children 11 persons (6%) were seropositive, compared with 172 persons (94%) were seronegative. Conclusion: According to the high prevalence of antibodies against F. tularensis in this study, this infection must be considered as differential diagnosis of infectious disease in suspect patients.