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Melioidosis in Mauritius
Mohammad Iqbal Issack1, Chundr Dutt Bundhun, Hemraj Gokhool
1Central Health Laboratory, Victoria Hospital, Candos, Mauritius. missack@intnet.mu
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|February 12, 2005
Summary
This is the first reported human melioidosis case in Mauritius, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. The immunocompromised patient had mud exposure and fell ill during a period of high rainfall, suggesting a potential local environmental source.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.
- The bacterium is endemic in tropical regions, but its presence in Mauritius was previously undocumented.
- Mauritius is a tropical island nation in the Indian Ocean.
Observation:
- A case of human melioidosis was identified in an immunocompromised patient in Mauritius.
- The patient had no history of international travel, indicating a potential local acquisition.
- The patient reported regular exposure to mud, a known environmental reservoir for Burkholderia pseudomallei.
- The onset of illness coincided with a period of above-average rainfall, which can influence bacterial distribution.
Findings:
- This report documents the first isolation of Burkholderia pseudomallei from a human in Mauritius.
- The findings suggest that Burkholderia pseudomallei is present in the Mauritian environment.
- The patient's clinical presentation and exposure history are consistent with environmentally acquired melioidosis.
Implications:
- This discovery expands the known geographical distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei.
- It highlights the need for increased awareness and diagnostic capabilities for melioidosis in Mauritius.
- Further environmental surveillance is warranted to identify the specific sources and transmission dynamics of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Mauritius.