Melioidosis in a patient from Bangladesh. Issue 790 (August 1991)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kibbler, C. C.; Roberts, C. M.; Ridgway, G. L.; Spiro, S. G.
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 67:Issue 790(1991)
• Page Start: 764
• Page End: 766
• Publication Date: 1991-08
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.67.790.764
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract : A 54 year old Bangladeshi man presented with a history and chest X-ray appearances suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis. Following deterioration 4 weeks later, he required ventilation. Although a blood culture isolate was subsequently found to be Pseudomonas pseudomallei, it was initially misidentified and dismissed as a contaminant. Further cultures demonstrated the organism, but the patient died, despite treatment with ceftazidime. The case illustrates the importance of taking a detailed travel history and having a high index of suspicion in patients from South East Asia and the Indian sub-continent, including Bangladesh, where the disease has not previously been considered endemic.