2 PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT MELIOIDOSIS AFTER PROLONGED ANTIBIOTIC-THERAPY

Melioidosis is a tropical infectious disease caused by Burkholderia (P seudomonas) pseudomallei. Clinically manifest melioidosis occurs mostl y in people with underlying disorders. Melioidosis is a disease with p rotean manifestations and a high rate of relapse. Two patients with in fection due to Burkholderia pseudomallei after a visit to Thailand are described. Both patients presented with sepsis and appropriate therap y was initiated and continued for several months. Despite such long-te rm antimicrobial treatment, both patients had a relapse after cessatio n of therapy.;It is unclear if recurrent melioidosis can be prevented by prolonging the treatment even further.