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Simplified Whole Body Plethysmography to Characterize Lung Function During Respiratory Melioidosis
Published on: February 24, 2023
Melioidosis parotitis in children
1Senior Clinical Research Fellow/Consultant Microbiologist, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Department of Microbiology, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR ; Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, England UK ; Honorary Professor, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England UK.
Abstract:
A recent paper published in JVATiTD reporting a child in Hainan with parotitis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei misleadingly described parotitis as a rare manifestation of melioidosis. In fact, it is one of the commonest forms of paediatric melioidosis seen in other parts of Southeast Asia, although interestingly not in Australia.
Insights
Parotitis, or parotid gland swelling, is a common sign of melioidosis in children throughout Southeast Asia. A recent study incorrectly stated this manifestation is rare, highlighting a need for accurate clinical awareness of melioidosis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Paediatrics
Background:
- Melioidosis is a serious infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.
- Parotitis, inflammation of the parotid salivary glands, is a recognized clinical manifestation of melioidosis.
- Accurate understanding of clinical presentations is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correct the misrepresentation of parotitis as a rare manifestation of melioidosis in paediatric cases.
- To emphasize the commonality of parotitis in paediatric melioidosis in Southeast Asia.
- To improve clinical awareness and diagnostic accuracy regarding melioidosis presentations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of published case reports and epidemiological data on melioidosis.
- Comparison of clinical presentations of paediatric melioidosis across different geographic regions, specifically Southeast Asia and Australia.
- Evaluation of the accuracy of descriptions regarding parotitis as a symptom of melioidosis.
Main Results:
- A recent publication in JVATiTD inaccurately described parotitis as a rare manifestation of Burkholderia pseudomallei infection.
- Parotitis is, in fact, a common clinical presentation of paediatric melioidosis in Southeast Asia.
- Geographical variations exist, with parotitis being less commonly reported in Australian paediatric melioidosis cases.
Conclusions:
- The assertion that parotitis is a rare manifestation of melioidosis is incorrect, particularly in the context of Southeast Asian paediatric cases.
- Clinical vigilance for parotitis in children presenting with symptoms suggestive of melioidosis is warranted in endemic areas.
- Further epidemiological studies may elucidate the reasons for geographical variations in the presentation of paediatric melioidosis.
