Clinical manifestations of melioidosis in children

Fifty-five children with culture-proved melioidosis treated at Srinagarind Hospital from 1979 to 1993 were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty patients had septicemia and 35 patients had localized infection. Eleven patients (55%) in the septicemic group had underlying diseases but none in the localized infection group. In the septicemic patients the most common organ involvement was the lung (75%). Shock was present in 45% and the case fatality rate was very high (60%). In localized melioidosis suppurative parotitis was the most common manifestation (40%). Other common infections included skin and subcutaneous abscesses and lymphadenitis. There was no shock or death in this group.