DISEASE OF MELIOIDOSIS

                          

                                            Melioidosis

• Also called Whitmore's disease, is an infectious disease that can infect humans or animals.
• Caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.
• Disease of tropical climates, especially in Southeast Asia and northern Australia where it is widespread. 
• The bacteria causing melioidosis are found in contaminated water and soil.
• It is spread to humans and animals through direct contact with the contaminated source.

                                         

                                            Bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei

                                                         

                                                   

                                                         Transmission

• Through direct contact with contaminated soil and surface waters.
• Humans and animals are believed to acquire the infection by inhalation of contaminated dust or water droplets, ingestion of contaminated water, and contact with contaminated soil, especially through skin abrasions.
• Many animal species are susceptible to melioidosis include :

             1. sheep     2. goats     3. swine     4. horses    5. cat    6. dog

                                                   Transmissions of Melioidosis.

                                  

                                              Symptoms 

• 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. Other symptoms of Melioidosis :

• Fever      
• Headache
• Respiratory distress
• Muscle or joint point
• Weight loss
• Ulceration
• Cough
• Chest pain
• Anorexia

           Treatment              

• When a Melioidosis infection is diagnosed, the disease can be treated with the use of appropriate medication.
• The type of infection and the course of treatment will impact long-term outcome. 
• Treatment generally starts with intravenous (within a vein) antimicrobial therapy for 10-14 days, followed by 3-6 months of oral antimicrobial therapy.

          Antimicrobial agents that have been effective against Melioidosis include:

1. 
   

Intravenous therapy consists of:

• Ceftazidime administered every 6-8 hours 
  
  OR
• Meropenem administered every 8 hours

    2.

Oral antimicrobial therapy consists of:

• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole taken every 12 hours 
  
  OR
• Doxycycline taken every 12 hours

REMINDER !!

Patients with penicillin allergies should notify their doctor, who can prescribe an alternative treatment course.

Prevention

In areas where the disease is widespread (see map below), contact with contaminated soil or water can put people at risk for melioidosis.

However, in these areas, there are things that certain groups of people can do to help minimize the risk of exposure:

• Persons with open skin wounds and those with diabetes or chronic renal disease are at increased risk for melioidosis and should avoid contact with soil and standing water.
• Those who perform agricultural work should wear boots, which can prevent infection through the feet and lower legs.
• Health care workers can use standard contact precautions (mask, gloves, and gown) to help prevent infection.

                   Endemicity of meliodosis infection.

* See you on next entry with a different disease.

                        Thankyou for reading  xX

References : 

CDC Melioidosis
Wikipedia Melioidosis