HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Brundage, W. G. Articles by Walden, D. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Brundage, W. G. Articles by Walden, D. C.

Four Fatal Cases of Melioidosis in U. S. Soldiers in Vietnam

Bacteriologic and Pathologic Characteristics^*

William G. Brundage, Charles J. Thuss, Jr. AND Donald C. Walden

The bacteriologic and pathological characteristics of four fatal cases of melioidosis are reported. Pseudomonas pseudomallei was cultured from the following specimens: 1) ante mortem—sputum, skin lesions, blood, synovial fluid, and bone marrow; 2) post mortem—lung, meninges, heart blood, spinal fluid, pleural cavity, and skin lesions. Eosin-methylene blue agar was found to be the medium of choice for primary isolation. All isolates of the organism were homogeneous in their biochemical and serologic characteristics as were their sensitivities to a variety of antibiotics and a sulfa drug.

Post-mortem examination in Case 4 showed gross and microscopic lesions in the lungs, skin, and kidneys. Microscopic lesions were also found in the liver and spleen. In Cases 1, 2, and 3 there were gross lesions in the lungs, skin, kidneys, liver, spleen, subcutaneous tissue, lymph nodes, and meninges. These were confirmed microscopically.

^* The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Army or Department of Defense.

Formerly Chief, Microbiology Section, 946th Medical Laboratory, Long Binh, Republic of Vietnam (RVN). Present address: Department of Veterinary Science, Agricultural Experiment Station, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Major, MC, USA, formerly Commanding Officer and Pathologist, 946th Medical Laboratory, Long Binh, RVN. Present address: 4th U.S. Army Medical Laboratory, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

SSG, USA, formerly Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Microbiology Section, 946th Medical Laboratory, Long Binh, RVN. Present address: Medical Field Service School, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. A. Sheridan, A. R. Ramsay, J. M. Short, K. Stepniewska, V. Wuthiekanun, and A. J. H. Simpson Evaluation of the Wayson Stain for the Rapid Diagnosis of Melioidosis J. Clin. Microbiol., May 1, 2007; 45(5): 1669 - 1670. [Full Text] [PDF]