Travel-associated Burkholderia Pseudomallei Infection (Melioidosis) in a Patient with Cystic Fibrosis: a Case Report

In September 1997, a 25-year-old Italian woman with cystic fibrosis (CF) spent 3 weeks in Thailand. In August 1998, her pulmonary function rapidly declined, with productive cough and intermittent fever. Chest x-ray films revealed diffuse, small, patchy opacities in the upper lobes. Burkholderia pseudomallei (BP) was isolated from specimens of the patient's sputum and was identified by means of 16S rDNA sequencing. The diagnosis of melioidosis was serologically confirmed. Continuous therapy with ceftazidime and co-trimoxazole and maintenance with co-trimoxazole, doxycycline, and chloramphenicol resulted in eradication of BP. We present the issue of whether patients with CF represent a population particularly at risk for melioidosis.