What is Melioidosis?
Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by a gram-negative bacterium called Burkholderia pseudomallei. It is found mostly in soil and water in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Humans and animals become infected through contact with contaminated soil or water, typically via wounds, inhalation, or ingestion. Person-to-person transmission is extremely rare.
The disease can present with diverse symptoms ranging from mild fever and skin infections to severe pneumonia, abscess formation, septicemia, and even death. It has a high mortality rate in endemic areas, especially if untreated. Diagnosis is confirmed by growing the bacteria from blood or bodily fluids, and treatment involves an intensive course of intravenous antibiotics followed by prolonged oral antibiotics to prevent relapse.
Risk factors increasing susceptibility to melioidosis include diabetes, chronic kidney or lung disease, excessive alcohol consumption, immunosuppressive conditions, and occupational exposure such as agriculture or construction work. The disease can mimic other infections like tuberculosis, making diagnosis challenging. Melioidosis prevalence increases during wet seasons and after heavy rains or natural disasters that bring bacteria to the surface.
Melioidosis is a serious bacterial infection contracted from environmental exposure to Burkholderia pseudomallei in tropical areas, requiring timely diagnosis and extended antibiotic treatment for survival and recovery.
