MELIOIDOSIS IN A DIABETIC SAILOR

Melioidosis was diagnosed in a diabetic sailor who presented with a hi story and chest radiograph that suggested tuberculosis. Melioidosis is a tropical disease with protean manifestations: from asymptomatic inf ection to chronic cavitary lung disease to overwhelming sepsis. The di agnosis is easily made, even in nonendemic areas when duly considered by the clinicians and microbiology laboratory. Ceftazidime has dramati cally improved outcomes in hospitalized patients with severe melioidos is.