Cutaneous melioidosis in the tropical top end of Australia: A prospective study and review of the literature

Abstract

Background. Burkholderia pseudomallei is endemic in northern Australia, and melioidosis is a common cause of sepsis in the region. Methods. We summarized the cutaneous manifestations of melioidosis from a prospective cohort of 486 patients with culture-confirmed melioidosis in northern Australia, and we compared those who had primary skin melioidosis with those who had other forms of melioidosis. Results. Primary skin melioidosis occurred in 58 patients (12%). Secondary skin melioidosis-multiple pustules from hematogenous spread - was present in 10 patients (2%). Patients with primary skin melioidosis were more likely to have chronic presentations (duration, ≥2 months). On multivariate analy..