Related Experiment Videos
A case of imported melioidosis presenting as prostatitis
A M Heyse1, J Dierick, H Vanhouteghem
1Dept of Internal Medicine, AZ Maria Middelares St-Jozef, Kortrijkse steenweg 1026, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. alexheyse@hotmail.com
Infection
|February 19, 2003
Summary
Melioidosis, a serious infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, was diagnosed in a Belgian man after travel to Vietnam. Successful treatment involved antibiotics without surgery, marking the second case in Belgium.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Tropical Medicine
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.
- It is endemic in Southeast Asia and Australia, but rare in Europe.
- Travelers returning from endemic areas are at risk of acquiring the infection.
Observation:
- A previously healthy Belgian man developed septicemia and prostatic abscesses one week after visiting Vietnam.
- Burkholderia pseudomallei was identified in multiple blood cultures.
- The patient did not require surgical intervention for the abscesses.
Findings:
- The patient received successful treatment with intravenous ceftazidime and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
- Oral maintenance therapy with amoxicillin-clavulanate and amoxicillin completed the treatment course.
- This case represents the second documented instance of melioidosis in Belgium.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering melioidosis in patients with compatible symptoms returning from endemic regions, even in non-endemic countries.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy are crucial for successful outcomes.
- Increased awareness among clinicians is necessary for prompt recognition and management of imported infectious diseases.