Y. Suputtamongkol et al., THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MELIOIDOSIS IN UBON-RATCHATANI, NORTHEAST THAILAND, International journal of epidemiology, 23(5), 1994, pp. 1082-1090
Background. Melioidosis, or infection with Pseudomonas pseudomallei is
an important cause of morbidity and mortality in South East Asia and
Northern Australia, The epidemiology of melioidosis in Ubon Ratchatani
, Northeast Thailand was studied over a 5-year period from 1987 to 199
1. Methods. Rates and, when possible, the risks of developing melioido
sis were calculated. The numerator was the number of culture-proven ca
ses of melioidosis seen in the 1000-bed referral hospital of the provi
nce. The denominators were obtained from the population census, a surv
ey of Health, Welfare and Use of Traditional Medicine, and the North E
astern Meteorological Centre, Thailand. Results. The average incidence
of human melioidosis was 4.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] : 3.8-5.0)
per 100 000. The disease affected all ages with the highest incidence
in 40-60 years olds. Melioidosis was 1.4 (95% CI: 0.4-5.3) times more
common in males than females. The disease showed a significant season
al variation in incidence, and a strong linear correlation with rainfa
ll (r = 0.7, 95% CI : 0.5-0.9) Adults exposed to soil and water in the
ir work (most were rice farmers) had an increased risk of melioidosis
(in the 40-59 year age group, relative risk = 4.1, 95% CI : 2.4-6.9).
Most adult patients had an underlying disease (mainly diabetes mellitu
s) predisposing them to this infection. Conclusion. Melioidosis may re
sult from either acute exposure to the organism in the soil and water,
or 're-activation' of an asymptomatic childhood infection (by an unid
entified possibly infective seasonal cofactor). The results from this
analysis are consistent with both hypotheses. Further epidemiological
studies a re needed to identify risk factors so that optimal strategie
s for control of melioidosis may be developed.