Molecular detection of leptospirosis and melioidosis co-infection: A case report

• Main Authors: Mohammad R. Mohd Ali, Amira W. Mohamad Safiee, Padmaloseni Thangarajah, Mohd H. Fauzi, Alwi Muhd Besari, Nabilah Ismail, Chan Yean Yean
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2017-11-01
• Series: Journal of Infection and Public Health
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034117300874

Leptospirosis and melioidosis are important tropical infections caused by Leptospira and Burkholdheria pseudomallei, respectively. As both infections share similar clinical manifestations yet require different managements, complementary laboratory tests are crucial for the diagnosis. We describe a case of Leptospira and B. pseudomallei co-infection in a diabetic 40-year-old woman with history of visit to a freshwater camping site in northern Malaysia. To our knowledge, this is the first case of such double-infection, simultaneously demonstrated by molecular approach. This case highlights the possibility of leptospirosis and melioidosis co-infections and their underlying challenges in the rapid and accurate detection of the etiologic microorganism. Keywords: Leptospirosis, Melioidosis, Co-infection, PCR, Febrile