Melioidosis masquerading as community-acquired pneumonia: a case report demonstrating efficacy of intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy.
Burkholderia pseudomallei, a soil saprophyte typically associated with the highly fatal disease melioidosis in Southeast Asia, is an increasing global concern as worldwide travel proliferates in our increasingly cosmopolitan society. Emergence of this disease in locations where it was not previously described underscores the importance of understanding the basic microbiology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of infectious diseases on a global scale rather than the myopic view of the usual microbiological culprits of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in developed nations. We report a case of melioidosis originally diagnosed as CAP complicated by empyema successfully cured with combination of antibiotics and intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy, averting operative intervention.
Duplessis
Christopher
C
Internal Medicine, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia, VA 23708, USA. mduplessis4@cox.net
Maguire
Jason D
JD
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016957:Burkholderia pseudomallei / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008554:Melioidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010679:Philippines; D011014:Pneumonia; D011859:Radiography; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D014195:Travel; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents