How do you know if you have melioidosis?
How do you know if you have melioidosis?
Symptoms of a disseminated melioidosis infection include fever, weight loss, stomach or chest pain, muscle or joint pain, headache, and seizures.
What is Burkholderia pseudomallei melioidosis?
Melioidosis is an infection caused by the bacteria, Burkholderia pseudomallei. This bacteria is not found in the United States, except for Puerto Rico, but is common in many other parts of the world including southeast Asia and northern Australia.
What disease does Burkholderia pseudomallei cause?
Melioidosis, also called Whitmore’s disease, is an infectious disease that can infect humans or animals. The disease is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. It is predominately a disease of tropical climates, especially in Southeast Asia and northern Australia where it is widespread.
How is Burkholderia pseudomallei diagnosed?
Diagnosis. Melioidosis is diagnosed by isolating Burkholderia pseudomallei from blood, urine, sputum, skin lesions, or abscesses; or by detecting an antibody response to the bacteria.
How does Burkholderia pseudomallei enter the body?
The bacteria usually enter the body through the eyes, nose, mouth, cracked skin, or cuts. Direct contact with the skin can lead to a localized cutaneous infection. Inhalation leads to pneumonia, septicemia, or disseminated abscesses in muscle, liver, and spleen – a pattern similar to that of melioidosis.
How is Burkholderia pseudomallei transmitted?
Transmission of B. pseudomallei regularly occurs through inhalation, ingestion or direct contact with contaminated soil or water. Innoculation of the organism usually occurs through skin abrasions. [4] Human-to-human transmission is very rare.
How is melioidosis diagnosed in Burkholderia pseudomallei infection?
Melioidosis is diagnosed by isolating Burkholderia pseudomallei from blood, urine, sputum, skin lesions, or abscesses; or by detecting an antibody response to the bacteria. Melioidosis can be categorized as an acute or localized infection, acute pulmonary infection, acute bloodstream infection, or disseminated infection.
What are the signs and symptoms of disseminated infection in melioidosis?
Disseminated infection may be seen in acute or chronic melioidosis. Signs and symptoms, in addition to fever, may include weight loss, stomach or chest pain, muscle or joint pain, and headache or seizure.
Can melioidosis be mistaken for other diseases?
However, it is important to note that melioidosis has a wide range of signs and symptoms that can be mistaken for other diseases such as tuberculosis or more common forms of pneumonia.
What is melioidosis (Whitmore’s disease)?
Melioidosis, also called Whitmore’s disease, is an infectious disease that can infect humans or animals. The disease is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.
