Melioidosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in patients from endemic areas
Badsha, H., Edwards, C.J. and Chng, H.H. (2001) Melioidosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in patients from endemic areas. Lupus, 10, (11), 821-823.
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Description/Abstract
Serious infection is a common problem in immunosuppressed patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Melioidosis is caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei and may present as an acute fulminant pneumonia or septicaemia that is often fatal. The organism is endemic in much of South-east Asia but is being increasingly reported from other parts of the world, including India, Northern Australia and North and South America. In addition to occurring in people who come into contact with contaminated soil or water in endemic areas, the infection is more common in immunosuppressed patients and must be recognised early and treated with appropriate antibiotics. Importantly, it can activate many years after the initial exposure, causing diagnostic confusion. We present the cases of three patients with SLE who were admitted with fever and in whom Burkholderia pseudomallei was isolated from blood cultures. Following treatment with intravenous ceftazidime all patients made a good recovery. These cases demonstrate the importance of considering this infectious organism in patients from endemic areas with unexplained fever. They also illustrate how successful outcomes can be achieved in a frequently fatal disease if an early diagnosis is made and appropriate antibiotics are started promptly.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| ISSNs: | 0961-2033 (print) |
| Related URLs: | |
| Keywords: | melioidosis, infection, burkholderia psuedomallei |
| Subjects: | R Medicine > RB Pathology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR180 Immunology |
| Divisions: | University Structure - Pre August 2011 > School of Medicine > Developmental Origins of Health and Disease |
| Item ID: | 25209 |
| Date Deposited: | 11 Apr 2006 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Apr 2012 02:11 |
| Contributors: | Badsha, H. (Author) Edwards, C.J. (Author) Chng, H.H. (Author) |
| Date: | 2001 |
| Status: | Published |
| URI: | http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/25209 |
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