Melioidosis

Melioidosis

Why in the News?

A recent study highlights how climate factors, especially those related to the monsoon, influence the spread of melioidosis.

What is Melioidosis?
Melioidosis is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. It is linked to rainfall, temperature, and humidity, and is primarily contracted through the inoculation, inhalation, or ingestion of soil- and water-dwelling environmental bacteria.

South Asia, including India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, accounts for 44% of global melioidosis cases, with Odisha being a hotspot due to its agriculture and extreme weather conditions. The disease is also prevalent in Northern Australia and Southeast Asia.

Symptoms & Severity:
Melioidosis can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild skin infections to severe pneumonia and sepsis. In septic cases, the fatality rate can be as high as 50%. The disease is not transmitted from animals to humans, and human-to-human transmission is rare.

Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment:

• Diverse Symptoms: The disease manifests in various forms, making it difficult to diagnose and treat.

• Diagnostic Difficulties: It is often misidentified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a more common bacterium, leading to incorrect treatment.

• Complex Treatment: Treatment requires prolonged antibiotic therapy (12-20 weeks), and recurrence is possible if not managed properly.

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