CNS Melioidosis in a Traveler Returning from Cabo, Mexico

Matthew A Donahue; Geoffrey Newcomb; Sara Spinella; Paritosh Prasad; Jane Liesveld; Cristina T Egan; Glenda L Smith; Alexandra P Newman; William A Bower; David D Blaney; Jay E Gee; Mindy G Elrod; Sally Chuang; Tara M Babu

doi:10.1093/ofid/ofz005

CNS Melioidosis in a Traveler Returning from Cabo, Mexico

Open Forum Infect Dis. 2019 Jan 10;6(2):ofz005. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofz005. eCollection 2019 Feb.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.
² Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.
³ Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.
⁴ Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York.
⁵ Division of Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York.
⁶ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.

Abstract

Melioidosis is caused by the gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei, endemic to northern Australia and Southeast Asia. We present a patient who traveled to Mexico, returned to the United States, and developed progressive manifestations of melioidosis, culminating as central nervous system disease. Standard therapy was contraindicated, and a prolonged intensive phase was employed.

Keywords: Burkholderia pseudomallei; CNS; Mexico; melioidosis; travel.

Grants and funding

Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom