To differentiate imaging findings of pulmonary tuberculosis and melioidosis

Melioidosis is an important cause of community-acquired sepsis in the tropical and subtropical countries which is well documented in Southeast Asia and northern Australia(1). The Indian subcontinent has been recognized as endemic for melioidosis since 2008 where it is a major cause for morbidity and mortality(2). Management of these two conditions varies drastically. In India, patients are often presumptively treated for tuberculosis, on the basis of clinical suspicion, even in the absence of a positive acidfast bacilli smear and/or culture(2). Tuberculosis and melioidosis present with...

We have compared microbiologically proven cases of tuberculosis and melioidosis in our study. There are various features seen in both of these conditions like consolidation, nodules, cavities which do not play a significant role in differentiating these conditions. However several findings are described below which is predominantly seen in either of these two conditions. Mediastinal lymphadenopathy Tuberculosis presents with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes which show peripheral enhancement and central necrosis. These lymphnodes appear conglomerated(4). In melioidosis, mediastinal lymphnodes are rare(5) (3). However, we found that...

Imaging findings of pulmonary tuberculosis and melioidosis are very similar, however few findings which are characteristically seen in either of these conditions which hold the key to diagnosis. Early diagnosis of melioidosis can help to avoid emperical treatment for tuberculosis which is often the case in endemic nations.

J. Andrade; Manipal/IN - nothing to disclose K. V. Rajagopal; Manipal, Karnataka/IN - nothing to disclose

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