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Imported melioidosis in Danish travellers: a diagnostic challenge

Shadia Badran1, Thomas Ingemann Pedersen, Casper Roed

  • 1Department of Bacteriology, Mycology and Parasitology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|March 20, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Melioidosis, a rare infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, can be contracted abroad. This report details five travel-related cases in Denmark, highlighting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Tropical Medicine

Background:

  • Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is endemic in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia.
  • Infections are rare in Scandinavia but can occur through travel to endemic regions.

Observation:

  • Five travel-related cases of melioidosis were reported in Denmark within a three-year period.
  • These cases presented diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to limited local expertise.

Findings:

  • A newly developed Burkholderia pseudomallei-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test accurately identified all bacterial isolates.
  • The PCR test demonstrated high efficacy in diagnosing melioidosis.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering melioidosis in travelers returning from endemic areas.
  • Emphasizes the need for enhanced diagnostic capabilities and clinician awareness for rare imported infections.
  • Suggests the utility of molecular diagnostic tools like PCR for rapid and accurate identification of Burkholderia pseudomallei.

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