The causative agent of melioidosis is

The causative agent of melioidosis is

• A. Burkholderia cepacia
• B. Burkholderia pseudomallei
• C. Moraxella catarrhalis
• D. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Answer: (B)

Melioidosis is an infection acquired from soil and surface water in tropical regions, and the organism responsible is Burkholderia pseudomallei. This Gram-negative bacillus is environmental and can cause a wide spectrum of disease, from localized abscesses to septicemia, which is why it is tied specifically to this condition. The other bacteria listed are associated with different infections or settings: Burkholderia cepacia mainly affects people with cystic fibrosis or exposed to healthcare environments; Moraxella catarrhalis is a common respiratory pathogen; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a known opportunistic pathogen in nosocomial infections. Thus, Burkholderia pseudomallei is the best answer for melioidosis.

Melioidosis is an infection acquired from soil and surface water in tropical regions, and the organism responsible is Burkholderia pseudomallei. This Gram-negative bacillus is environmental and can cause a wide spectrum of disease, from localized abscesses to septicemia, which is why it is tied specifically to this condition. The other bacteria listed are associated with different infections or settings: Burkholderia cepacia mainly affects people with cystic fibrosis or exposed to healthcare environments; Moraxella catarrhalis is a common respiratory pathogen; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a known opportunistic pathogen in nosocomial infections. Thus, Burkholderia pseudomallei is the best answer for melioidosis.