Clinical repercussions of Glanders (Burkholderia mallei infection) in a Brazilian child: a case report

Abstract

Glanders is a relatively unknown zoonotic disease caused by Burkholderia mallei. This bacterium affect solipeds and humans, and can be used as a biological warfare. Glanders is characterized as an occupational disease. We report the case of an 11-year-old boy who was presented to an emergency department with chest pain and dyspnea. He evolved into septic shock, pneumonia, and multiple abscesses. B. mallei was found in the exudate culture. Human infection is rare and difficult to confirm. The knowledge on glanders is important for differential diagnosis from other serious illnesses causing pneumonia and multiple abscesses.

FIGURE 1:. Chest radiography suggestive of mediastinal widening.

FIGURE 2:. (A) Hilar lymphadenomegaly associated with segmental compressive atelectasis on the left side. (B) Bilateral pleural effusion with basal consolidations and pericardial effusion. (C) Peripheral nodular opacities in the pulmonary apices, some subpleural confluent forming consolidations. (D) Bilateral ground-glass opacities and consolidations associated with inflammation in both lungs.