Expect the unexpected: pleuro-pulmonary melioidosis in a renal transplant recipient

Transpl Infect Dis. 2013 Feb;15(1):E40-3. doi: 10.1111/tid.12047. Epub 2012 Dec 26.

Abstract

Melioidosis is an infectious disease endemic in tropical northern Australia and Southeast Asia, and, if treated late or inappropriately, is usually fatal. We report a rare case of pleuro-pulmonary melioidosis with septicemia in a renal transplant recipient to highlight the potential risk of acquiring this infection in at-risk patients living in, or visiting, regions that are endemic for melioidosis, and to convey the importance of its early diagnosis and specific treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Asia, Southeastern
  • Australia
  • Bacteremia / diagnosis*
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy
  • Burkholderia pseudomallei / isolation & purification*
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Melioidosis / diagnosis*
  • Melioidosis / drug therapy
  • Pleural Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Pleural Diseases / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Risk Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Travel
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents