A highly dangerous bacterium, known as Burkholderia pseudomallei, has recently been declared endemic to the US Gulf Coast by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This bacteria has a distressing fatality rate of around 50 percent worldwide and can lead to a severe respiratory disease called melioidosis if left untreated.
According to Julia Petras, an epidemic intelligence service officer with the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Burkholderia pseudomallei is a naturally occurring environmental organism found in soil and certain freshwater sources, primarily in subtropical and tropical climates. The CDC has confirmed three cases of infection caused by this bacteria, with the most recent case reported in Mississippi in January. Two other cases were identified in the same Mississippi county in July 2020 and May 2020.
While these reported cases are concerning, it is important to note that many individuals infected with the bacteria do not display symptoms and develop antibodies against it. This suggests that a larger number of people may be infected without showing any signs of illness. Fortunately, all three patients from Mississippi have successfully recovered.
In all three Mississippi cases, the patient recovered.
“This is one of those diseases that is also called the great mimicker because it can look like a lot of different things,” Petras told the outlet. “It’s greatly under-reported and under-diagnosed and under-recognized — we often like to say that it’s been the neglected, neglected tropical disease.”
People are typically infected by the bacteria through open wounds or by inhaling the germs during a strong storm.
Those with diabetes or kidney and liver problems are most at risk.
“Excessive alcohol use is also a known risk factor, and binge drinking has actually been associated with cases as well from endemic areas,” Petras said.
The CDC defines an endemic as “a constant amount of that specific disease present in a geographic location, like a state or country.”
There have only ever been two reported cases in the world of bacteria spreading from person to person.
Once the bacteria is inside the body, it attacks organs like the lungs and brain and any organ with an abscess, Petras said.
“A lot of patients will have pneumonia with sepsis, and or sepsis, which is associated with higher mortality and worse outcomes,” she said.
Globally, about 160,000 cases are reported annually, with 80,000 deaths.
Petras said it’s important to diagnose melioidosis early so it can be properly treated.
“We have antibiotics that work,” she told HealthDay News. “What I’m talking about is IV antibiotics for at least two weeks, followed by three to six months of oral antibiotics.”
Patients are treated first intravenously with Meropenem (Merrem) and ceftazidime (Fortaz). Amoxicillin is then given via pills during the second phase, according to Petras.
“It’s extensive treatment, but if you’ve finished the full course and you’re diagnosed early, which is the really key thing, your outcome is probably going to be quite good,” she added.
It’s not clear how or when B. mallei got to the Gulf Coast, but scientists believe that climate change is likely a factor.
B. mallei thrives in warm, damp areas and was first found in Australia and Thailand, Petras said.
