the organism to be B u r k h o l d e r i a
p s e u d o m a l l e i, which was resistant to
amoxycillin, gentamicin, and
ciprofloxacin, but sensitive to
ceftazidime and augmentin. He was
then given intravenous ceftazidime 2 g
every 8 h, which was later increased to
2 g every 6 h after the development of
epididymitis. After 2 weeks of
intravenous therapy, he was changed
to tablets containing amoxycillin 500
mg and clavulanic acid 125 mg (three
tablets every 8 h) and discharged to
complete 4 months of treatment. He
was reviewed regularly as an
outpatient and seemed to respond
satisfactorily. 3 months later he
developed severe back pain and died
suddenly at home. A n e c r o p s y
revealed a ruptured abdominal aorta,
with histological evidence of acute
inflammation and periaortic abscess
f o r m a t i o n .
Melioidosis is a common cause of
septicaemia in rural Thailand,
particularly in rice farmers during the
rainy season. Transmission is mainly
through skin abrasions exposed to soil
and water containing B pseudomallei.
2
Our patient’s skin and shoes were
probably colonised with B pseudomallei
in Thailand, and the bacteria were
then inoculated by the thorn.
Puncture wounds of the foot are often
associated with P s e u d o m o n a s
a e r u g i n o s a, which has been
successfully cultured from the shoes of
such patients.
3
B pseudomallei i s
phylogenetically similar to P a e r u g i n o s a
and occupies similar environmental
n i c h e s .
4
Death from a ruptured
mycotic aneurysm has been previously
reported in melioidosis.
5
This case
serves as a reminder that the mortality
remains high despite long-term
treatment with recommended
antibiotics, and that even short-stay
tourists are at risk from this deadly
d i s e a s e .