Tularemia Clinical Trials and Treatments

Tularemia is caused by Francisella tularensis, one of the most infectious bacteria known: a handful of organisms can cause disease. In the United States it spreads through the bite of the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick and lone star tick, through deer fly bites in the West, through skin contact with infected animals, by inhaling dust or aerosols (classically from mowing over a dead rabbit), by drinking contaminated water and by eating undercooked meat. It is not carried by the blacklegged ticks that spread Lyme disease.

The most common symptoms of Tularemia include Fever, which can reach 104 degrees F, with chills and exhaustion, A skin ulcer where the bacteria entered, with swollen, painful lymph nodes nearby (the most common form), Swollen glands without an ulcer, or a painful red eye with swollen glands near the ear, Sore throat and mouth ulcers after eating or drinking something contaminated, Cough, chest pain and trouble breathing in the pneumonic form, the most serious, among others. Tularemia affects approximately 167 cases were reported to the CDC in 2022. It has been reported from every state except Hawaii, and is most common in the south-central United States, the Pacific Northwest and parts of Massachusetts including Martha's Vineyard. Fewer than 2% of US cases are fatal, according to NORD.. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may vary between individuals.

Trial Friend lists all active clinical trials for Tularemia from ClinicalTrials.gov, with eligibility criteria translated into plain English. Patients can filter by trial phase and recruitment status, search by location, and use the Match Me tool to score trials against their profile. Interventional trials are rare because the infection is uncommon and existing antibiotics work. The only study listed on ClinicalTrials.

Yes. As of September 2026, Trial Friend lists 1 FDA-approved drug used to treat Tularemia: Vibramycin (doxycycline), first approved in 1967.

Each has its own page with what the label covers, side effects and how it is given, and the Treatments section of this page adds any further approved drugs found in FDA labeling data.

Tularemia is an acquired condition, not an inherited one. Bacterial infection (Francisella tularensis) from ticks, deer flies or infected animals, diagnosed by culture or antibody tests; not genetic. The condition affects approximately 167 cases were reported to the CDC in 2022. It has been reported from every state except Hawaii, and is most common in the south-central United States, the Pacific Northwest and parts of Massachusetts including Martha's Vineyard. Fewer than 2% of US cases are fatal, according to NORD.

Eligibility for Tularemia clinical trials depends on factors like age, diagnosis, treatment history, and overall health. Each trial sets its own inclusion and exclusion criteria. Trial Friend translates these requirements from medical language into plain English so patients can review them more easily. The Match Me tool can score your profile against active trials to help identify studies that may be a fit.

Participating in a Tularemia clinical trial typically involves scheduled visits, medical tests, and close monitoring by a research team. Depending on the study phase, you may receive an investigational treatment, a placebo, or the current standard of care. Trials may last from a few weeks to several years. Study participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.