Melioidosis en Colombia, descripción de un caso clínico y consideraciones epidemiológicas / Melioidosis in Colombia, description of a clinical case and epidemiological considerations

Resumen La melioidosis es una enfermedad infecciosa causada por Burkholderia pseudomallei cuyo diagnóstico clínico puede ser difícil debido a su variada presentación clínica y a las dificultades del diagnóstico microbiológico, por lo cual pueden requerirse técnicas moleculares para su adecuada identificación una vez se sospecha su presencia. Son pocos los antibióticos disponibles para el tratamiento de esta enfermedad y, además, deben usarse durante un tiempo prolongado. Aunque se conoce por ser endémica en Tailandia, Malasia, Singapur, Vietnam y Australia, en Colombia se han reportado algunos pocos casos. Se presenta un caso de melioidosis en la región norte de Colombia, se hace una revisión de las características clínicas y el tratamiento, y se describe la epidemiología local de esta enfermedad.

Abstract Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei whose clinical diagnosis can be difficult due not only to its varied clinical presentation but also to the difficulties in the microbiological diagnosis.Thus, it may be necessary to use molecular techniques for its proper identification once it is suspected. There are few antibiotics available for the treatment of this disease, which must be used over a long period of time. Although it is known to be endemic in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Australia, in Colombia there are few reported cases. We describe a case of melioidosis in the northern region of Colombia. Additionally, we review its clinical characteristics and treatment and we describe the local epidemiology of this disease.

Saksenaea erythrospora infection after medical tourism for esthetic breast augmentation surgery.

BACKGROUND: Mucormycosis caused by Saksenaea erythrospora is rarely reported in humans. Three previous cases have been reported in the literature, two associated with trauma (a sailing accident in Argentina and a combat trauma in Iraq) and one as a cause of invasive rhinosinusitis (India), all in immunocompetent patients . The first case of mucormycosis following esthetic surgery, associated with medical tourism, is reported herein. CASE REPORT: A case study of an S. erythrospora infection in an immunocompetent woman after the completion of esthetic surgery (dermolipectomy and breast augmentation) is reported. The infection presented as a rapidly progressive necrotizing infection of the skin and soft tissue, which required a bilateral mastectomy and extensive surgical debridement associated with prolonged antifungal therapy. The organism was identified phenotypically and confirmed biologically after rDNA amplification and sequencing. Two months later, the patient remains hospitalized awaiting the start of reconstructive surgeries. The present case is, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the first report from Colombia. CONCLUSIONS: Mucormycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of necrotizing infections of the skin and soft tissue that evolve rapidly after cosmetic surgery performed in tropical or subtropical countries.