Case Report: Risk Factors Associated with Mortality in Adults with Burkholderia Pseudomallei Bacteremia: A Retrospective Case Series of Melioidosis in Cambodia

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2024 Jun 18;111(2):277-280. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0369. Print 2024 Aug 7.

Abstract

In resource-scarce settings, melioidosis is associated with up to 80% mortality. Studies of melioidosis in Cambodia report primarily on pediatric populations with localized infection; however, literature describing Cambodian adults with severe melioidosis is lacking. We present a case series of 35 adults with sequence-confirmed Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteremia presenting to a provincial referral hospital in rural Cambodia. More than 90% of the patients had diabetes, an important risk factor for developing melioidosis. Inappropriate antimicrobial therapy was significantly associated with lower odds of survival. Improved diagnostic testing and greater access to first-line antibiotics for acute melioidosis treatment present potential targets for intervention to reduce mortality associated with this disease in resource-limited settings.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia* / drug therapy
  • Bacteremia* / microbiology
  • Bacteremia* / mortality
  • Burkholderia pseudomallei* / drug effects
  • Burkholderia pseudomallei* / isolation & purification
  • Cambodia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melioidosis* / drug therapy
  • Melioidosis* / epidemiology
  • Melioidosis* / microbiology
  • Melioidosis* / mortality
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents