Overview
Melioidosis, also known as Whitmore's disease, is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Burkholderia pseudomallei. This germ lives naturally in soil and water in certain tropical regions of the world. People usually get infected by coming into contact with contaminated soil or water — through cuts in the skin, breathing in dust or water droplets, or, less commonly, drinking contaminated water. It is not typically spread from person to person. Melioidosis can affect almost any part of the body. The lungs are most commonly involved, but the infection can also spread to the liver, spleen, kidneys, skin, and brain. Some people develop a mild illness, while others become very seriously ill with a life-threatening bloodstream infection called septicemia. The disease can also lie dormant in the body for months or even years before causing symptoms, which makes it tricky to diagnose. Treatment involves antibiotics, and with prompt care, many people recover fully. The first phase uses strong intravenous antibiotics like ceftazidime or meropenem for several weeks, followed by a longer course of oral antibiotics such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole to prevent relapse. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to improving survival, especially in people with weakened immune systems or other health conditions like diabetes.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Fever and chillsCough, sometimes with blood-tinged mucusChest pain and difficulty breathingSkin sores or abscessesMuscle aches and joint painHeadacheWeight lossSwollen lymph nodesAbdominal painConfusion or disorientationFatigue and general weaknessSwelling or pus-filled lumps under the skin
Clinical phenotype terms (23)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Melioidosis.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Melioidosis at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
1 resourcesSodium Bicarbonate
Pfizer
Metabolic Acidosis
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Melioidosis.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Melioidosis
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How long will I need to take antibiotics, and what happens if I miss doses?,What are the signs that the infection is coming back, and when should I go to the emergency room?,Do I need any follow-up scans or blood tests after I finish treatment?,Are there any activities or exposures I should avoid to prevent reinfection?,How does my diabetes (or other health condition) affect my risk of complications or relapse?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments I should know about?,Should my family members or close contacts be tested or take any precautions?
Common questions about Melioidosis
What is Melioidosis?
Melioidosis, also known as Whitmore's disease, is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Burkholderia pseudomallei. This germ lives naturally in soil and water in certain tropical regions of the world. People usually get infected by coming into contact with contaminated soil or water — through cuts in the skin, breathing in dust or water droplets, or, less commonly, drinking contaminated water. It is not typically spread from person to person. Melioidosis can affect almost any part of the body. The lungs are most commonly involved, but the infection can also spread to the liver, s
How is Melioidosis inherited?
Melioidosis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Melioidosis?
17 specialists and care centers treating Melioidosis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Melioidosis?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Melioidosis. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.