Here are a few questions to tickle the grey cells while you kick back and prepare for another week battling germs. You might even want to use the comment option to fire back dot point, short notes style answers:
- Give a brief account of the Burkholderias
- Explain the differences in virulence among Burkholderia species
- Describe recent changes in the epidemiology of melioidosis
- Why is melioidosis often considered a tropical disease?
Have a look around the site for clues before you finalise your answer.
μgnome, 20th March
My son has this bacteria in his body one of 5 in the US that are known cases we were stationed in the Airforce in Singapore when he contracted it. Its horrible. I wish that some one could find a cure for this disease ( bacteria). This is his 4th outbreak we are on our 4th course of antibiotics at 4 to 7 months each course it can't be good for his body. I can only wait for a cure.
Dear Ladybugz, Melioidosis is well known in Singapore service personnel. It can require prolonged eradication therapy, as described in recent peer-reviewed journal articles, though it is unusual to require multiple courses of antibiotic treatment for that long. The most effective antibiotics cure the majority of cases. There is usually a reason for recurrence of infection, which your son’s physician has probably already investigated. We have physicians here who would be willing to share their experience of melioidosis treatment in more difficult cases with your son’s medical team.