Severe Septicemic Melioidosis in a Patient With Lung Adenocarcinoma Following Cytotoxic Chemotherapy

Abstract

Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. Severe melioidosis pneumonia is typically life-threatening condition. It is relatively uncommon in patients with lung cancer. We report a case of melioidosis pneumonia with blood culture proved Burkholderia pseudomallei in a patient with advanced stage lung adenocarcinoma following treatment with a gemcitabine containing regimen. To our knowledge, this is the first report on septicemic melioidosis pneumonia in lung adenocarcinoma patients following administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy.