Human melioidosis reported by ProMED. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nasner-Posso, Katherinn Melissa; Cruz-Calderón, Stefania; Montúfar-Andrade, Franco E.; Dance, David A.B.; Rodriguez-Morales, Alfonso J.
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 35(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 106
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Melioidosis -- ProMED -- Epidemiology; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.05.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: ProMED would be used to assess the reliability of the data of emerging infectious diseases, such as melioidosis. The study evaluated the effectiveness of ProMED as a source of epidemiological data by focusing on melioidosis. This work identified 4630 cases of melioidosis with an overall case fatality rate of 11%, mainly reported from Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Although certain areas need to be improved, ProMED provided good information about melioidosis. Summary: Objective: There are limited sources describing the global burden of emerging diseases. A review of human melioidosis reported by ProMED was performed and the reliability of the data retrieved assessed in comparison to published reports. The effectiveness of ProMED was evaluated as a source of epidemiological data by focusing on melioidosis. Methods: Using the keyword 'melioidosis' in the ProMED search engine, all of the information from the reports and collected data was reviewed using a structured form, including the year, country, gender, occupation, number of infected individuals, and number of fatal cases. Results: One hundred and twenty-four entries reported between January 1995 and October 2014 were identified. A total of 4630 cases were reported, with death reported in 505 cases, suggesting a misleadingly low overall case fatality rate (CFR) of 11%. Of 20 cases for which the gender was reported, 12 (60%) were male. Most of the cases were reported from Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia, with sporadic reports from other countries. Conclusions: Internet-based reporting systems such as ProMED are useful to gather information and synthesize knowledge on emerging infections. Although certain areas need to be improved, ProMED provided good information about melioidosis.