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Melioidosis:A Great Mimicker


Affiliations
1 Internal Medicine, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India
2 Family Medicine, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India
     

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Melioidosis is an infectious disease of humans and animals, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a gram-negative soil bacterium. It is a disease of tropical climates with reports from North east and South India. It has also been listed as potential bioterrorism weapon. The bacterium causing melioidosis is found in contaminated water and soil. It spreads to humans through inhalation or inoculation.

With clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic infection to full blown sepsis syndrome with very high mortality rate, early diagnosis and prompt treatment is important to reduce mortality.

Melioidosis is under reported in India, as it needs a high index of suspicion along with the isolation and identification of B. pseudomallei from blood and secretions.


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  • Melioidosis:A Great Mimicker

Abstract Views: 295  |  PDF Views: 1

Authors

S. Bhavsar
Internal Medicine, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India
A. Gupta
Family Medicine, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Abstract


Melioidosis is an infectious disease of humans and animals, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a gram-negative soil bacterium. It is a disease of tropical climates with reports from North east and South India. It has also been listed as potential bioterrorism weapon. The bacterium causing melioidosis is found in contaminated water and soil. It spreads to humans through inhalation or inoculation.

With clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic infection to full blown sepsis syndrome with very high mortality rate, early diagnosis and prompt treatment is important to reduce mortality.

Melioidosis is under reported in India, as it needs a high index of suspicion along with the isolation and identification of B. pseudomallei from blood and secretions.


References