CDC confirms fatal case of melioidosis in Georgia, links it to previous US cases
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
The CDC on Monday confirmed a fatal case of melioidosis in Georgia and linked it to three other cases of melioidosis in the United States, including one that was also fatal.
The cases have occurred in both adults and children, with two of the patients having no known risk factors for the disease. The three previous cases were reported in Kansas, Minnesota and Texas.
Melioidosis is caused by the gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei and can be difficult to diagnose because it is often mistaken for tuberculosis, according to the CDC. It is predominantly found in tropical climates.
Whole-genome sequencing indicates that the four U.S. cases came from a common source, the CDC said. Although none of the patients have travelled internationally, all of the cases appear to be closely related to strains found in South Asia, it said.
The CDC said it has collected and tested more than 100 of samples of products, soil and water from each of the patients’ home and that no sample has tested positive for B. pseudomallei. In a statement, the CDC said it suspects that the most likely source of the infections is an imported product, such as a food or drink, or a personal care item.
B. pseudomallei “normally lives in moist soil and water. However, in rare cases, it has also been found to contaminate wet or moist products in the areas where the bacteria are common,” the CDC said.
The CDC requested that clinicians consider melioidosis for any acute bacterial infections that do not respond to normal antibiotics, of whether if the patient has traveled outside of the U.S.
Additionally, it urged clinicians not to rule out melioidosis as a possible diagnosis when treating children or people who were previously healthy and without known risk factors.
Risk factors include diabetes, liver or kidney disease, chronic lung disease, cancer, or any other condition that may compromise the immune system.
Most children who are diagnosed with melioidosis do not have risk factors, according to the CDC.
References:
CDC. Melioidosis. https://www.cdc.gov/melioidosis/index.html. Accessed Aug. 9, 2021.
Perspective
Back to TopJill Weatherhead, MD, MS, DTMandH, FAAP
Melioidosis is a tropical disease caused by the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei and commonly found in Southeast Asia. At this time, it is not considered endemic in the United States.
As a result, melioidosis is not commonly considered in patients from the United States who have not traveled internationally. However, the CDC has now reported four cases of melioidosis in individuals from four different states who have not traveled internationally. Per the CDC, similar genetic sequences of the bacteria from each of the four cases suggest a potential common source but that source is currently unknown. Clinical manifestations including pneumonia and sepsis can be severe and lead to death.
Further investigation is needed to determine the source of these infections and if local transmission has occurred. Clinicians should have a heightened awareness of melioidosis in nontravelers until more information is available from the CDC.
Collapse
Press Release.
Read more about
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts