BỆNH NHÂN MELIOIDOSIS THỂ NHIỄM KHUẨN HUYẾT Ở MỘT BỆNH VIỆN TUYẾN CUỐI MIỀN NAM VIỆT NAM: ĐẶC ĐIỂM LÂM SÀNG VÀ ĐIỀU TRỊ

Abstract

Background: Melioidosis is a serious infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, with its bacteremic form associated with high mortality. However, data on clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of this form in Vietnam remain limited.
Objectives: To describe the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, treatment-related characteristics and outcomes of patients with bacteremic melioidosis.
Methods: This was a retrospective case series conducted at a tertiary hospital in Vietnam. All patients discharged in 2023 with a diagnosis of bacteremia due to B. pseudomallei (confirmed by positive blood culture) were included. Data were extracted from medical records and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.
Results: Among 33 patients, the median age was 51 years; 72.7% were male, and 87.9% had diabetes mellitus. The overall mortality rate was 9.1%. Only 9.1% had isolated bacteremia, while the majority had multiple coexisting localized infections, most commonly pulmonary abscesses, soft tissue abscesses,
osteoarticular involvement, and central nervous system infections. B. pseudomallei remained highly susceptible to imipenem, meropenem, ceftazidime, and TMP-SMX. Meropenem was the most frequently
used empirical antibiotic.
Conclusions: Bacteremic melioidosis in Vietnam frequently presents with multiple localized abscesses and occurs predominantly in patients with diabetes. Timely identification of multi-organ involvement and appropriate antibiotic selection are essential for effective treatment.