RESUMEN
Melioidosis is caused by a gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei), which is found in water and soil in endemic areas. There are indicators that B. pseudomallei is increasing in endemic regions and expanding into new locations. It is unclear whether this is because of expanded boundaries or improved detection capabilities. It is even theorized to be endemic in certain parts of the USA. The most common medical risk factor is diabetes mellitus, and it frequently presents as acute pneumonia, and often progresses to bacteremia. It is designated as a tier 1 select biological agent and toxin by the CDC. In this case report, we present a 67-year-old male with multiple comorbidities, who contracted melioidosis while visiting Honduras, as well as the laboratory's response to the occupational exposure.
RESUMEN
Empedobacter falsenii, formerly known as Wautersiella falsenii, was first described in 2006. It is a non-motile, non-fermenting, gram-negative rod, which grows aerobically. A handful of case reports have described its isolation from respiratory, urinary and abscess samples. Besides clinical specimens, it has also been isolated from metalworking fluids and aerosols, carpet surfaces and polluted soils. However, to our knowledge, this is the first case report that describes bacteremia from Empedobacter falsenii. We present a 56-year-old male with liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failure and substance abuse disorder, who was admitted in a community hospital in the Bronx, New York for bacteremia of the said organism. This bacterium may serve as a reservoir for resistance genes, such as ERB, tetX and aadS, posing dangers to immunocompromised or hospitalized patients, highlighting the need to study this organism further.