Exposure to rabbits can lead to infection with which pathogen?

Exposure to rabbits is associated with infection by Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia. This zoonotic disease is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, including rabbits, rodents, and hares. The infection can occur through direct contact with the animal's body, bites from infected ticks or deer flies, ingestion of contaminated food or water, or inhalation of aerosols from infected animals.

Tularemia manifests in various forms, including ulceroglandular, glandular, oculoglandular, or pneumonic tularemia, depending on the route of infection. The ulceroglandular form is the most common and is characterized by skin ulcers and swollen lymph nodes, often following direct contact with an infected animal.

The other pathogens listed are associated with different modes of transmission or specific animal reservoirs. Histoplasma capsulatum is primarily found in soil enriched with bird or bat droppings and is not directly linked to rabbits. Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is more commonly associated with cattle, sheep, and goats. Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through rodent exposure, particularly through contact with their urine, droppings, or saliva. Thus, B