Melioidosis in a European traveler without comorbidities: a case report and literature review

Int J Infect Dis. 2013 Sep;17(9):e781-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2013.01.029. Epub 2013 Mar 15.

Abstract

Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. It habitually affects immune-depressed hosts and may have a wide range of clinical manifestations. The use of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) has not been described previously for this disease. We report the case of a European traveler without comorbidities who developed melioidosis with pulmonary and bone marrow involvement 1 year after exposure. Antibiotic treatment was managed by taking into account the evolution on PET-CT. We review the literature and suggest the use of PET-CT for the initial evaluation of melioidosis, especially to look for a bone location, and to manage the length of antibiotic therapy.

Keywords: Melioidosis; Osteomyelitis; PET-CT; Pulmonary abscess.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Burkholderia pseudomallei / isolation & purification*
  • Cambodia
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Humerus / diagnostic imaging
  • Humerus / pathology
  • Male
  • Melioidosis / diagnosis*
  • Melioidosis / drug therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
  • Travel*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • White People*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents