Meliodosis
The figure shows an x-ray's of a meliodosis patients
What is it?
An infectious disease known to infect both human and animals. It exists in both acute and chronic forms. It spreads easily in countries with tropical climates, especially in southeast asia and northern australia.
Cause:
The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei (found in contaminated soil, water and market produce)
How it spread?
Infection is acquired through skin inoculation or contamination of wounds, ingestion of contaminated sources and inhalation. Direct transmission between human is extremely rare, but it may happen during sexual contact or other intimate contacts if body fluids are exchanged.
The figure show the infected skins
Symptoms:
- Skin infection
- Pain in chest, bones, or joints
- Coughs
- Lung nodules
- Pneumonia
Treatment:
treatment usually starts with intravenous microbial therapy for 10-14 days and followed by oral microbial therapy for another 3-6 month. Intravenous therapy consists of Ceftazidime administered every 6-8 hours or Meropenem administered every 8 hours.
Meanwhile, oral microbial therapy consists of Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole taken every 12 hours or Doxycycline taken every 12 hours. If the patient is allergic to penicillin, then alternative treatments should be taken.