A Case of Human Melioidosis: Clinical, Epidemiological and Laboratory Findings

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Abstract
Summary The clinical, epidemiological and laboratory aspects of the first confirmed case of human melioidosis reported in Ecuador are presented. The results of conventional bacteriological and serological testing and of animal inoculation confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of infection with Pseudomonas pseudomallei made by the fluorescent antibody test. Specifically stained fluorescent organisms were demonstrated in tissue impression smears prepared from the organs of guinea pigs experimentally infected with the specimen cultures. The value of immunofluorescence for screening of specimens was emphasized by the rapidity with which Pasteurella pestis and P. tularensis were excluded from consideration as probable etiologic agents of this infection and the short period of time required to make a presumptive identification of Ps. pseudomallei. The role of fluorescent antibody procedures in bacteriological and histopathological laboratories is discussed. A procedure for minimizing erroneous diagnoses of melioidosis is proposed.

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