Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Not applicable, Tropical diseases, Infection, Acute, Diagnostic procedure, CT-High Resolution, CT, Conventional radiography, Thorax, Respiratory system, Lung, Chest
Authors:
J. Andrade1, K. Rajagopal2; 1manipal/IN, 2Manipal, Karnataka/IN
DOI:
10.26044/ecr2020/C-08170
Background
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 similar features and hence it is difficult to differentiate between them clinically (3). The definitive diagnosis is made by positive culture of either organism from the blood or infected organs(3). These methods are time consuming and cause delay in diagnosis which is a major cause for mortality and morbidity. Radiological investigations like radiographs have a limited role in differentiating between these two conditions. However, advanced imaging modalities like CT are readily available and can aid in rapid diagnosis. CT Imaging findings of tuberculosis closely mimic melioidosis(4), but there are a few differentiating features.Here we differentiate and describe the imaging findings of pulmonary tuberculosis from melioidosis, so that early accurate diagnosis can aid in better management.