Melioidosis masquerading as community-acquired pneumonia: a case report demonstrating efficacy of intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy.

Abstract

Burkholderia pseudomallei, a soil saprophyte typically associated with the highly fatal disease melioidosis in Southeast Asia, is an increasing global concern as worldwide travel proliferates in our increasingly cosmopolitan society. Emergence of this disease in locations where it was not previously described underscores the importance of understanding the basic microbiology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of infectious diseases on a global scale rather than the myopic view of the usual microbiological culprits of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in developed nations. We report a case of melioidosis originally diagnosed as CAP complicated by empyema successfully cured with combination of antibiotics and intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy, averting operative intervention.

• Authors: Christopher Duplessis, Jason D Maguire
• Journal: Journal of travel medicine (J Travel Med) 2009 Jan-Feb Vol. 16 Issue 1 Pg. 74-7 ISSN: 1708-8305 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19192137 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

Topics

• Anti-Bacterial Agents (administration & dosage)
• Burkholderia pseudomallei (isolation & purification)
• Community-Acquired Infections
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Humans
• Lung (diagnostic imaging)
• Male
• Melioidosis (diagnosis, microbiology, therapy)
• Middle Aged
• Philippines
• Pneumonia
• Radiography
• Thrombolytic Therapy (methods)
• Travel
• Treatment Outcome