Abstract
Melioidosis is a bacterial infection, caused by Gram-negative bacillus, Burkholderia pseudomallei, widespread in Southeast Asia and the northern part of Australia, resulting in a high mortality rate in severe infection. However, it has rarely been reported in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. The authors described a case of melioidosis in a neutropenic patient presenting with septic shock after receiving chemotherapy. Blood and urine cultures were positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei, and CT scan showed multiple pulmonary nodules and hepatosplenic abscesses. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics for the infection and with combined modalities for a malignancy.
Highlights
Melioidosis is a tropical bacterial infection originated from a Gram-negative bacillus, Burkholderia pseudomallei. e organism is found in soil and water in an endemic area, especially in Southeast Asia and the northern part of Australia [1]
It is a relatively unusual pathogen in cancer patients [3]. e purpose of this article is to report a case of febrile neutropenia with septic shock, caused by melioidosis, and the case is complicated by locally advanced inoperable breast cancer
Melioidosis is an environmental bacterial infection, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. It can infect humans living in endemic areas via skin penetration, inhalation, and ingestion [1]
Summary
Melioidosis is a tropical bacterial infection originated from a Gram-negative bacillus, Burkholderia pseudomallei. e organism is found in soil and water in an endemic area, especially in Southeast Asia and the northern part of Australia [1]. Melioidosis presents in various manifestations based on duration of onset, severity of disease, or the number of organ involvements that are localized or disseminated infections, primary bacteremia, or even fatal septic shock [1, 2]. It is a relatively unusual pathogen in cancer patients [3]. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest and abdomen was done for staging and showed no evidence of distant metastasis (Figure 1) She received chemotherapy consisting of Adriamycin (doxorubicin) and cyclophosphamide (AC) as neoadjuvant treatment and lamivudine for hepatitis B infection. On day 10 after the chemotherapy, she presented with fatigue, diarrhea, and fever
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
