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PMID: 14720392 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Intensity of rainfall and severity of melioidosis, Australia.

Emerging infectious diseases ·Vol. 9 ·No. 12 ·2003-12-00 ·Pages 1538-42

Currie BJ, Jacups SP

Abstract

In a 12-year prospective study of 318 culture-confirmed cases of melioidosis from the Top End of the Northern Territory of Australia, rainfall data for individual patient locations were correlated with patient risk factors, clinical parameters, and outcomes. Median rainfall in the 14 days before admission was highest (211 mm) for those dying with melioidosis, in comparison to 110 mm for those surviving (p=0.0002). Median 14-day rainfall was also significantly higher for those with pneumonia. On univariate analysis, a prior 14-day rainfall of 125 mm was significantly correlated with pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] 1.70 [confidence interval [CI] 1.09 to 2.65]), bacteremia (OR 1.93 [CI 1.24 to 3.02]), septic shock (OR 1.94 [CI 1.14 to 3.29]), and death (OR 2.50 [CI 1.36 to 4.57]). On multivariate analysis, rainfall in the 14 days before admission was an independent risk factor for pneumonia (p=0.023), bacteremic pneumonia (p=0.001), septic shock (p=0.005), and death (p<0.0001). Heavy monsoonal rains and winds may cause a shift towards inhalation of Burkholderia pseudomallei.

MeSH Terms
Adult Bacteremia/microbiology Burkholderia pseudomallei/growth & development Female Humans Male Melioidosis/epidemiology,microbiology,mortality Middle Aged Multivariate Analysis Northern Territory/epidemiology Pneumonia/microbiology Prospective Studies Rain Shock, Septic/microbiology
Authors & Affiliations
2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Currie Bart J
Menzies School of Health Research and Flinders University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. [email protected]
Jacups Susan P
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Article Info
Journal
Emerging infectious diseases
Abbr.
Emerg Infect Dis
ISSN
1080-6040
DOI
10.3201/eid0912.020750
Email
[email protected]
Published
2003-12-00
Pages
1538-42
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
9508155
PMCID
PMC3034332
Subset
IM
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.3201/eid0912.020750 PMC Full Text View journal details
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