Page 106 - JSOM Winter 2021

An Ongoing Series
An Ongoing Series

Melioidosis

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases,
Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology

ABSTRACT
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that Besides humans, many animal species are susceptible to meli-
two people are dead and two have recovered after being in- oidosis, including sheep, goats, swine, horses, cats, dogs, and
fected with the bacterial disease melioidosis — a disease that cattle.
had never before been detected on contiguous US soil. The
cases occurred between March and July 2021 in Georgia,
Kansas, Texas, and Minnesota. Melioidosis, also called Whit- Signs and Symptoms
more’s disease, is an infectious disease that can infect humans There are several types of melioidosis infection, each with
or animals. The disease is caused by the bacterium Burkholde- their own set of symptoms.
ria pseudomallei. It is predominately a disease of tropical
climates, especially in Southeast Asia and northern Australia However, it is important to note that melioidosis has a wide
where it is widespread. range of signs and symptoms that can be mistaken for other
diseases such as tuberculosis or more common forms of
Keywords: bacteria; melioidosis; contaminated source; Whit- pneumonia.
more’s disease; Burkholderia pseudomallei
• Localized infection
o Localized pain or swelling
o Fever
Introduction
o Ulceration
B. pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, is a Tier o Abscess
1 select agent that can affect both animals and humans. Cases • Pulmonary infection
are most common in areas of the world with tropical and sub- o Cough
tropical climates. Most cases in the United States occur in per- o Chest pain
sons returning from a country where the disease is endemic. o High fever
These four cases are unusual because no recent travel outside o Headache
the United States has been identified. o Anorexia
• Bloodstream infection
o Fever
Transmission
o Headache
People can get melioidosis through direct contact with con- o Respiratory distress
taminated soil and water. Humans and animals are believed o Abdominal discomfort
to acquire the infection by inhalation of contaminated dust or o Joint pain
water droplets, ingestion of contaminated water, and ingestion o Disorientation
of soil-contaminated food or other contact with contaminated • Disseminated infection
soil, especially through skin abrasions. o Fever
o Weight loss
It is very rare for people to get the disease from another per- o Stomach or chest pain
son. While a few cases have been documented, contaminated o Muscle or joint pain
soil and surface water remain the primary way in which peo- o Headache
ple become infected. Recently, tropical freshwater fish have o Central nervous system/brain infection
also been identified as a risk of possible infection. o Seizures

104