What could be more difficult than trying to work out the cause of a serious pneumonia in time to guarantee successful treatment? Here are the ACTM primer of tropical medicine notes on the topic:

• ACTM Primer of Tropical Medicine
• Pulmonary Eosinophilias

Once again melioidosis is in the news. Queensland Health’s Dr Jeff Hanna has highlighted the melioidosis hot spot recently identified in the vicinity of Townsville, and Darwin melioidosis export Prof Bart Currie fronts up on the ABC’s 7.30 Report tonight.

Changing climate conditions in the north, particularly in the northwest, are thought to be responsible for some of the apparent increase in cases that can be blamed on severe weather events. But occupational activities as diverse as expansion of farming, the mining industry and even the local film industry could all contribute to an increase in meaningful encounters with a contaminated environment, and therefore subsequent cases of infection.

For a recent on-line review on melioidosis, see Life in the Fast Lane.

Life in the fast lane, Jim, but not as we know it …

precordial thump has just posted a series of thumbnail sketches of pneumonia, complete with a series of questions. A good revision exercise on the range of clinical presentations you may encounter, aetiology, and antibiotic choice.

Go on; test your knowledge. You know you want to.