A 55-year-old diabetic man from rural Australia presents with a febrile illness and multiple liver abscesses. Blood cultures grow Burkholderia pseudom...

Question

A 55-year-old diabetic man from rural Australia presents with a febrile illness and multiple liver abscesses. Blood cultures grow Burkholderia pseudomallei. He is started on IV meropenem. What is the most important comorbidity risk factor for melioidosis?

Accepted Answer

Diabetes mellitus - the strongest individual risk factor, present in approximately 40-60% of melioidosis cases

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Obesity

Answer

Hypothyroidism

uk-dtmh MCQ (SBA): Melioidosis and Diabetes

A 55-year-old diabetic man from rural Australia presents with a febrile illness and multiple liver abscesses. Blood cultures grow Burkholderia pseudomallei. He is started on IV meropenem. What is the most important comorbidity risk factor for melioidosis?