A Review of Melioidosis Cases in the Americas

Melioidosis is a bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a gram-negative saprophytic bacillus. Cases occur sporadically in the Americas with an increasing number of cases observed among people with no travel history to endemic countries. To better understand the incidence of the dis...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 2015-12, Vol.93 (6), p.1134-1139
Main Authors: Benoit, Tina J, Blaney, David D, Doker, Thomas J, Gee, Jay E, Elrod, Mindy G, Rolim, Dionne B, Inglis, Timothy J J, Hoffmaster, Alex R, Bower, William A, Walke, Henry T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacillus
Burkholderia pseudomallei
Caribbean Region - epidemiology
Central America - epidemiology
Humans
Incidence
Melioidosis - epidemiology
North America - epidemiology
South America - epidemiology
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Summary:Melioidosis is a bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a gram-negative saprophytic bacillus. Cases occur sporadically in the Americas with an increasing number of cases observed among people with no travel history to endemic countries. To better understand the incidence of the disease in the Americas, we reviewed the literature, including unpublished cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of 120 identified human cases, occurring between 1947 and June 2015, 95 cases (79%) were likely acquired in the Americas; the mortality rate was 39%. Burkholderia pseudomallei appears to be widespread in South, Central, and North America.
ISSN:0002-9637
1476-1645
DOI:10.4269/ajtmh.15-0405