Melioidosis

Today’s path rounds are on 𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭?
𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬 is a tropical disease affecting primarily Southeast Asia and northern Australia. It causes 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 disease, meaning it affects multiple organ systems.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐭?
Any species can get this!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭?
Melioidosis is caused by 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐩𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐢, a bacteria found in soil and water. When the bacteria is inhaled, ingested or enters wounds, the animal becomes infected. Infected animals shed the bacteria in their urine, feces, milk and saliva, contaminating their environment and allowing for new infections.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦?
The bacteria most commonly causes 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 in whatever organ it spreads to. The most commonly affected organs are the lungs, spleen, and liver. Depending on what organ is affected, the symptoms of melioidosis vary significantly. Some of the most common symptoms are difficulty breathing, from lung abscesses, and neurologic signs such as incoordination, blindness and tremors, from brain abscesses.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝?
Because the clinical signs of melioidosis vary so much, identifying the problem can be challenging. Abscesses can be identified on ultrasound or X-rays, suggesting a bacterial infection. To definitively diagnose Burkholderia pseudomallei, a bacterial culture is performed on the contents of the abscess, to see if that specific bacteria is present.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝? 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝?
Treatment involves extensive antibiotic treatment over long periods. Unfortunately, many animals do not respond to treatment. Animals that do respond are prone to repeated infections, since the bacteria can lie dormant within the body for long periods of time. Prevention usually involves raising animals away from soil, mud and impure water sources.