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Melioidosis in childhood
Abstract:
Two cases of childhood melioidosis in conjunction with five from the literature are presented. Although most reported cases come from Southeast Asia, importation into the United States by travelers and military personnel has occurred. The course of the disease may be acute or chronic; the onset is generally with fever and pneumonia. Melioidosis should be considered in any patient with pneumonia who has returned recently from an endemic area.
Insights
Childhood melioidosis, a serious bacterial infection, can be contracted by travelers. Early consideration of melioidosis in pneumonia patients returning from endemic areas is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Medicine
- Microbiology
Background:
- Melioidosis is a severe bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.
- While endemic in Southeast Asia, cases are increasingly reported globally due to travel.
- Childhood melioidosis presents diagnostic challenges, often mimicking other respiratory illnesses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present two pediatric cases of melioidosis.
- To review the clinical presentation and epidemiology of childhood melioidosis.
- To emphasize the importance of considering melioidosis in differential diagnoses for pneumonia in returning travelers.
Main Methods:
- Case report of two pediatric patients diagnosed with melioidosis.
- Literature review of five additional childhood melioidosis cases.
- Analysis of clinical symptoms, disease course, and geographical origins.
Main Results:
- The presented cases highlight the acute presentation of melioidosis with fever and pneumonia.
- Importation into non-endemic regions like the United States is a significant concern.
- The disease can manifest acutely or chronically, requiring a high index of suspicion.
Conclusions:
- Melioidosis is an emerging infectious disease threat in non-endemic areas, particularly among travelers.
- Prompt recognition and treatment are vital for improving outcomes in pediatric melioidosis.
- Clinicians should consider melioidosis in children presenting with pneumonia, especially after recent travel from endemic zones.