A deadly thorn: a case of
i m p o r ted melioidosis
Sir—David Dance and colleagues (Jan
16, p 208)
1
highlight an increase in the
frequency of imported melioidosis,
and list 15 cases occurring from 1988
to 1998. We report further details of
one of these cases, with particular
reference to the suspected mode of
acquisition and ultimate outcome.
A previously healthy 61-year-old
man returned from a 2-week holiday
in Thailand, having stayed on the
popular tourist island of Phuket. He
did not walk barefoot during the
holiday, swam only in the hotel
swimming pool, and was well
throughout. While gardening the day
after he returned from Thailand, he
stood on a large thorn. This thorn
penetrated his left heel through the
sole of his shoe. At the time, he was
wearing the rubber-soled canvas shoes
that he had worn throughout his
holiday.