Melioidosis: the great mimicker

ABSTRACT

Melioidosis is an infectious disease endemic in Northern Australia and South East Asia. It is associated with high degrees of morbidity and mortality. On average, around five cases are diagnosed annually in the USA. Diagnosis remains a challenge, as it mimics many other conditions, especially tuberculosis, hence its other name, the ‘great mimicker.’ The present case involves a recent traveler to the Philippines, who presented with episodic fevers and weight loss to his primary care physician. Blood cultures ordered grew Burkholderia pseudomallei. Primary care physicians should suspect melioidosis in symptomatic patients with travel history to endemic areas.

KEYWORDS:

• Burkholderia pseudomallei
• melioidosis
• travel
• travel medicine
• Philippines

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.