Medical progress: Melioidosis

Willem Wiersinga, Bart Currie, Sharon Peacock

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    653 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    MELIOIDOSIS, CAUSED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL GRAM-NEGATIVE BACILlus Burkholderia pseudomallei, is classically characterized by pneumonia and multiple abscesses, with a mortality rate of up to 40%. It is an important cause of community-acquired sepsis in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Its known global distribution is expanding, a reflection of improvements in diagnostic microbiology and increasing numbers of cases in travelers and returning military personnel (Fig. 1).1,2 A locally acquired case of melioidosis was recently described in the United States.3 B. pseudomallei has been classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a category B bioterrorism agent, resulting in increased research and understanding of melioidosis. This review considers recent developments in pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1035-1044
    Number of pages10
    JournalNew England Journal of Medicine
    Volume367
    Issue number11
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 13 Sept 2012

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