Travel-Associated Burkholderia pseudomallei Infection (Melioidosis) in a Patient with Cystic Fibrosis: A Case Report

• DOI: 10.1086/317528
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T18:58:45Z
• Authors: P. Visca; G. Cazzola; A. Petrucca; C. Braggion
• Keywords: Melioidosis; Burkholderia pseudomallei

In September 1997, a 25-year-old Italian woman with cystic fibrosis (CF) spent 3 weeks in Thailand. August 1998, her pulmonary function rapidly declined, productive cough and intermittent fever. Chest x-ray films revealed diffuse, small, patchy opacities the upper lobes. Burkholderia pseudomallei (BP) was isolated from specimens of patient's sputum identified by means 16S rDNA sequencing. The diagnosis melioidosis serologically confirmed. Continuous therapy ceftazidime co-trimoxazole maintenance co-trimoxazole, doxycycline, chloramphenicol resulted eradication BP. We present issue whether patients CF represent population particularly at risk for melioidosis.