Paediatric melioidosis.

The reader will come to appreciate that: • Infection occurs through percutaneous inoculation or inhalation with contaminated soil and water. • Diagnosis of melioidosis can be difficult because of its diverse presentation. • Melioidosis is increasingly being diagnosed around the world. • Greater consideration for melioidosis in protracted or atypical pneumonia is warranted regardless of location. Melioidosis is a tropical infectious disease caused by the saprophytic gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Despite the infection being endemic in southeast Asia and northern Australia, the broad clinical presentations and diagnostic difficulties limit its early detection, particularly in children. Melioidosis more commonly affects the immunocompromised and adults. Melioidosis is increasingly being diagnosed around the world and whole-genome sequencing indicates that these cases are not linked with travel to endemic areas. Research has concentrated on the adult population with limited experience reported in the care of this uncommon, but potentially fatal condition in children presenting with bacteraemia and pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]