Person-to-person transmission is unusual.
Melioidosis is presently a public health concern because it is most common in AIDS patients and intravenous drug users.
There is no form of immunization for melioidosis. Prevention requires prompt cleansing of scrapes, burns, or other open wounds in areas where the disease is common and avoidance of needle sharing among drug addicts.
Chronic melioidosis may cause osteomyelitis.
The mortality rate in acute cases of pulmonary melioidosis is about 10%.
Chronic melioidosis is characterized by osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone) and pus-filled abscesses in the skin, lungs, or other organs.
Melioidosis is caused by Pseudomonas pseudomallei, a bacillus that can cause disease in sheep, goats, pigs, horses, and other animals, as well as in humans.
Melioidosis is an infectious disease of humans and animals caused by a gram-negative bacillus found in soil and water. It has both acute and chronic forms.
Melioidosis, which is sometimes called Pseudomonas pseudomallei infection, is endemic (occurring naturally and consistently) in Southeast Asia, Australia, and parts of Africa.
The prognosis for recovery from mild infections is excellent.
The incubation period is two to three days.
The skin infection associated with melioidosis may spread to the underlying soft tissues, such as muscles, leading to a condition known as subcutaneous melioidosis. This can result in severe inflammation, abscess formation, and potentially systemic dissemination of the infection.
Diagnosis must then be confirmed through laboratory tests.