Subclinical Burkholderia pseudomallei Infection Associated with Travel to the British Virgin Islands.

Phylogenetic analysis of a clinical isolate associated with subclinical Burkholderia pseudomallei infection revealed probable exposure in the British Virgin Islands, where reported infections are limited. Clinicians should consider this geographic distribution when evaluating possible infection among persons with compatible travel history.

Unique characteristics of cryptococcosis identified after death in patients with liver cirrhosis: comparison with concurrent cohort diagnosed antemortem.

Characteristics of cirrhosis-associated cryptococcosis first diagnosed after death are not fully known. In a multicenter study, data generated as standard of care was systematically collected in 113 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and cryptococcosis followed for 80 patient-years. The diagnosis of cryptococcosis was first established after death in 15.9% (18/113) of the patients. Compared to cases diagnosed while alive, these patients had higher MELD score (33 vs. 22, P = .029) and higher rate of cryptococcemia (75.0% vs. 41.9%, P = .027). Cases diagnosed after death, in comparison to those diagnosed during life were more likely to present with shock (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.18-9.90, P = .023), require mechanical ventilation at admission (OR 8.5, 95% CI 2.74-26.38, P = .001), less likely to undergo testing for serum cryptococcal antigen (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.02-0.21, P < .001) and have positive antigen when the test was performed (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01-0.60, P = .016). In a subset of cirrhotic patients with advanced liver disease cryptococcosis was first recognized after death. These patients had the characteristics of presenting with fulminant fungemia, were less likely to have positive serum cryptococcal antigen and posed a diagnostic challenge for care providers.