Criteria
Culture of Burkholderia pseudomallei
Mandatory for confirmation of melioidosis.[8][70]
Inhalational melioidosis
Criteria for inhalational melioidosis[82]
This diagnostic subcategory provides a more focused definition for biothreat-related research and for the development of guidelines on emergency response after a deliberate release. All 5 criteria must be met to make the diagnosis.
Development of respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, breathlessness, pleuritic chest pain) in the preceding 4 weeks.
Presence of sepsis, defined as 2 or more of: body temperature <36°C or >38°C, heart rate >90 bpm, respiratory rate >20 breaths per minute, and WBC <4 × 10⁹ cells/L or >12 × 10⁹ cells/L or >10% band forms (immature white blood cells).
Evidence of alveolar infiltrate on chest x-ray within 48 hours of admission. In the event that there are previous radiographic records available for the individual, the infiltrate should be new (not present on previous chest x-ray).
No evidence of percutaneous inoculation injury in an appropriate setting (contaminated soil, mud, pooled surface water in endemic area, or needle stick injury with pure culture) and evidence of opportunity for inhalational exposure (e.g., recent severe weather event, known aspiration of surface water, or known exposure to aerosolised B pseudomallei).
Isolation of B pseudomallei from any sterile or non-sterile body site.
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer