Molecular detection of leptospirosis and melioidosis co-infection: A case report.
Leptospirosis and melioidosis are important tropical infections caused by Leptospira and Burkholdheria pseudomallei, respectively. As both infections share similar clinical manifestations yet require different managements, complementary laboratory tests are crucial for the diagnosis. We describe a case of Leptospira and B. pseudomallei co-infection in a diabetic 40-year-old woman with history of visit to a freshwater camping site in northern Malaysia. To our knowledge, this is the first case of such double-infection, simultaneously demonstrated by molecular approach. This case highlights the possibility of leptospirosis and melioidosis co-infections and their underlying challenges in the rapid and accurate detection of the etiologic microorganism.
Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia; Secretariat National Institutes of Health (NIH), Ministry of Health Malaysia, c/o Institut Pengurusan Kesihatan, Jalan Rumah Sakit Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: ridhuanali@gmail.com.
Mohammad R
MR
Mohd Ali
Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: amirawahida1712@gmail.com.
Amira W
AW
Mohamad Safiee
Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: padmaloseni@yahoo.com.
Padmaloseni
P
Thangarajah
Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: hashairi@usm.my.
Mohd H
MH
Fauzi
Department of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: dralwi@usm.my.
Alwi
A
Muhd Besari
Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: drnabilah@usm.my.
Nabilah
N
Ismail
Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: yeancyn@yahoo.com.
Chan
C
Yean Yean
D000328:Adult; D016957:Burkholderia pseudomallei / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D060085:Coinfection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007919:Leptospira / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008296:Malaysia; D008554:Melioidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
Co-infection; Febrile; Leptospirosis; Melioidosis; PCR