Pulmonary tularemia

This code represents a specific form of tularemia, an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, where the primary site of infection is the lungs. It typically manifests as pneumonia, often severe, and can be acquired through inhalation of contaminated aerosols or hematogenous spread from other forms of tularemia.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of tularemia with pulmonary involvement, such as tularemic pneumonia or pneumonitis. Supporting documentation would include positive Francisella tularensis cultures, serology, or PCR, along with imaging findings consistent with pneumonia and a history of exposure.

• Differentiate from other forms of tularemia (e.g., ulceroglandular, typhoidal) which have distinct codes.
• Ensure documentation specifies pulmonary involvement; if not, a more general tularemia code may be appropriate.
• Code any associated complications, such as pleural effusion or respiratory failure, in addition to the primary diagnosis.