Melioidosis

In News 

• A made-in-India aromatherapy spray is being pulled off retail giant Walmart’s shelves in the United States after a medical investigation linked it to melioidosis.

About 

• The spray was reported to contain a bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei.
• The spray, “Better Homes and Gardens Lavender & Chamomile Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones”, was found in the home of a Georgia resident who became ill with melioidosis in late July.
  • Other than mentioning that the spray was manufactured in India, no other details on the spray’s origins were disclosed.

About Melioidosis

• Melioidosis is also called Whitmore’s disease. It  is a rare but serious disease in the United States with 12 cases reported annually. 
• It is an infectious disease that can infect humans or animals. The disease is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.
• It is predominantly a disease of tropical climates, especially in Southeast Asia and northern Australia where it is widespread. 
• The bacteria causing melioidosis are found in contaminated water and soil. 
• One study suggested melioidosis to be endemic to India with an annual incidence of close to 52,500 cases.

Transmission:

• It is spread to humans and animals through direct contact with the contaminated source.
• Humans and animals are believed to acquire the infection by inhalation of contaminated dust or water droplets, ingestion of contaminated water, and ingestion of soil-contaminated food or other contact with contaminated soil, especially through skin abrasions.

Signs and Symptoms:

• There are several types of melioidosis infection, each with its own set of symptoms.
• However, melioidosis has a wide range of signs and symptoms like

• Localized Infection:
• Localized pain or swelling
• Fever
• Ulceration
• Abscess

Treatment:

• It can be treated with the use of appropriate medication and treatment generally starts with intravenous (within a vein) antimicrobial therapy for a minimum of 2 weeks (up to 8 weeks depending on the extent of infection), followed by 3–6 months of oral antimicrobial therapy.

Source: TH