Severe pneumonic tularemia following inhalational exposure with acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiorgan failure
Abstract
A man in his early 70s presented with septic shock and severe ARDS, likely after aerosolising Francisella tularensis. Initial empirical treatment for community-acquired pneumonia with ceftriaxone failed, resulting in clinical deterioration with stage 3 acute kidney injury requiring dialysis and necrotising pneumonia. After pneumonic tularaemia was identified, antimicrobial therapy was transitioned to renally dosed levofloxacin, along with aggressive ICU support including prone positioning and tube thoracostomy. The patient ultimately made a full recovery, returning to his functional baseline one month after discharge. This case underscores the importance of eliciting environmental exposures in patients with severe, culture-negative pneumonia unresponsive to beta-lactams, as this should prompt consideration of inhalational tularaemia. It also highlights how pathogen-induced cytokine storm can drive catastrophic multiorgan failure and supports fluoroquinolones as a safe and effective first-line alternative to aminoglycosides in the setting of renal failure.
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