Melioidosis, also called Whitmore's disease, is an infectious disease that can infect humans or animals. The disease is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.

It is predominately a disease of tropical climates, especially in Southeast Asia and northern Australia where it is widespread. The bacteria causing melioidosis are found in contaminated water and soil. It is spread to humans and animals through direct contact with the contaminated source.

Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei that are commonly found in the soil and water. Melioidosis is a rare disease in the United States, but it is common in tropical or subtropical areas of the world, including Southeast Asia, Africa, and Australia. The signs and symptoms of the disease can vary greatly and may mimic those of tuberculosis or common forms of pneumonia. Signs and symptoms may include pain or swelling, fever, abscess, cough, high fever, headache, trouble breathing, and more. Although healthy people can also experience signs and symptoms of the disease, people with certain conditions like diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, thalassemia, cancer, or certain autoimmune diseases are more severely affected.

Diagnosis is made by collecting blood, sputum, urine, or pus samples and growing the bacteria. Current treatment is divided into two stages: an intravenous (IV) antibiotic stage and oral antibiotic maintenance stage to prevent recurrence.

People can get Melioidosis through direct contact with contaminated soil and surface waters.

Humans and animals are believed to acquire the infection by inhalation of contaminated dust or water droplets, ingestion of contaminated water, and contact with contaminated soil, especially through skin abrasions.

It is very rare for people to get the disease from another person. While a few cases have been documented, contaminated soil and surface water remain the primary way in which people become infected.

Besides humans, many animal species are susceptible to melioidosis, including:

• Sheep
• Goats
• Swine
• Horses
• Cats
• Dogs
• Cattle

There are several types of melioidosis infection, each with their own set of symptoms.

However, it is important to note that melioidosis has a wide range of signs and symptoms that can be mistaken for other diseases such as tuberculosis or more common forms of pneumonia.

Localized Infection:

• Localized pain or swelling
• Fever
• Ulceration
• Abscess

Pulmonary Infection:

• Cough
• Chest pain
• High fever
• Headache
• Anorexia

Bloodstream Infection:

• Fever
• Headache
• Respiratory distress
• Abdominal discomfort
• Joint pain
• Disorientation

Disseminated Infection:

• Fever
• Weight loss
• Stomach or chest pain
• Muscle or joint pain
• Headache
• Seizures

The time between an exposure to the bacteria that causes the disease and the emergence of symptoms is not clearly defined, but may range from one day to many years; generally symptoms appear two to four weeks after exposure.

Although healthy people may get melioidosis, the major risk factors are:

• Diabetes
• Liver disease
• Renal disease
• Thalassemia
• Cancer or another immune-suppressing condition not related to HIV
• Chronic Lung disease (such as cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchiectasis)

While melioidosis infection has taken place all over the world, Southeast Asia and northern Australia are the areas in which it is primarily found.

In the United States, confirmed cases reported in previous years have ranged from zero to five and have occurred among travelers and immigrants coming from places where the disease is widespread.

Moreover, it has been found among troops of all nationalities that have served in areas with widespread disease.

The greatest numbers of melioidosis cases are reported in:

• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Northern Australia

Though rarely reported, cases are thought to frequently occur in:

• Papua New Guinea
• Most of the Indian subcontinent
• Southern China
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan
• Vietnam
• Indonesia
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Myanmar (Burma)

Outside of Southeast Asia and Australia, cases have been reported in:

• The South Pacific (New Caledonia)
• Sri Lanka
• Mexico
• El Salvador
• Panama
• Ecuador
• Peru
• Guyana
• Puerto Rico
• Martinique
• Guadeloupe
• Brazil
• Parts of Africa and the Middle East

When a melioidosis infection is diagnosed, the disease can be treated with the use of appropriate medication.

The type of infection and the course of treatment will impact long-term outcome. Treatment generally starts with intravenous (within a vein) antimicrobial therapy for 10-14 days, followed by 3-6 months of oral antimicrobial therapy.

Antimicrobial agents that have been effective against melioidosis include:

Intravenous therapy consists of:

• Ceftazidime administered every 6-8 hours
• OR
• Meropenem administered every 8 hours

Oral antimicrobial therapy consists of:

• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole taken every 12 hours
• OR
• Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav) taken every 8 hours

Patients with penicillin allergies should notify their doctor, who can prescribe an alternative treatment course.

In 2010, HHS convened a workshop with internationally recognized leaders in the field of Burkholderia species (the species of germ that causes melioidosis, glanders and other related infections) and clinicians with expertise in treating Burkholderia. Workshop attendees recommended treatment regimens for and post-exposure prophylaxis for melioidosis and glanders. More details on the recommendations can be found in the summary, published in CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal.

In areas where the disease is widespread, contact with contaminated soil or water can put people at risk for melioidosis.

However, in these areas, there are things that certain groups of people can do to help minimize the risk of exposure:

• Persons with open skin wounds and those with diabetes or chronic renal disease are at increased risk for melioidosis and should avoid contact with soil and standing water.
• Those who perform agricultural work should wear boots, which can prevent infection through the feet and lower legs.
• Health care workers can use standard precautions (mask, gloves, and gown) to help prevent infection.

Melioidosis is a disease caused by germs that occur naturally in certain parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia and northern Australia. The only place these germs, called Burkholderia pseudomallei, occur naturally in the United States is Puerto Rico. Usually, people in the United States (outside of Puerto Rico) who get the disease have traveled and come into contact with the germs in one of these places where they occur naturally. One reason public health authorities study the disease is because it is possible that the germs that cause melioidosis might be used in a biological attack. A biological attack is the intentional release of germs that can sicken or kill people, livestock, or crops.