Tularemic Pneumonia Mimicking Legionnairesʼ Disease With False-Positive Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stains for Legionella

Abstract

Pleuropulmonary tularemia may mimic atypical pneumonia caused by other common etiologic agents, including Legionella. The correct identification of the pathogen responsible for the atypical pneumonia is usually made serologically or with the use of special stains and cultures. We have reported a case of pleuropulmonary tularemia whose diagnosis was confounded by false-positive direct fluorescent antibody stains for Legionella.