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Volume 31, Number 9—September 2025

Dispatch

Related Melioidosis Cases with Unknown Exposure Source, Georgia, USA, 1983–2024

Skyler Brennan1, Julie M. Thompson1Comments to Author , Christopher A. Gulvik, Taylor K. Paisie, Mindy Glass Elrod, Jay E. Gee, Caroline A. Schrodt, Katherine M. DeBord, Brian T. Richardson, Cherie Drenzek, William A. Bower, Alex R. Hoffmaster, Zachary P. Weiner, Caitlin M. Cossaboom, and Julie Gabel
Author affiliation: Author affiliations: Georgia Department of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (S. Brennan, C. Drenzek, J. Gabel); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia (J.M. Thompson, C.A. Gulvik, T.K. Paisie, M.G. Elrod, J.E. Gee, C.A. Schrodt, K.M. DeBord, B.T. Richardson, Jr., W.A. Bower, A.R. Hoffmaster, Z.P. Weiner, C.M. Cossaboom).

Main Article

Table

Characteristics, clinical findings, and timeline of events among 4 patients with related melioidosis infections, Georgia, USA, 1983–2024*

Characteristics Patient 1 Patient 2 Patient 3 Patient 4
Preceding weather event (strength†) Hurricane Helene (Category 4) Hurricane Hugo (Category 4) None
Weather event date 2024 Sep 26 2024 Sep 26 1989 Sep 22 None
Symptom onset date(s) 2024 Sep 28 2024 Sep 29 1989 Oct 5 Unknown
Hospitalization admission date
 2024 Oct 2
 2024 Oct 1
 Unknown
 Unknown
Laboratory findings at admission (reference range)
Leukocyte count (4–11 × 109/L) 14.98 5.92 Unknown Unknown
Neutrophils (39.4%–72.5%) 77.8% 82.5% Unknown Unknown
Platelet count (140–400 × 109/L) 162 73 Unknown Unknown
AST (15–37 U/L) 37 193 Unknown Unknown
ALT (16–61 U/L)
 76
 79
 Unknown
 Unknown
Imaging findings at admission
 Chest radiograph: unremarkable; persistent nodule/density in left mid-lung zone. CT abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast: unremarkable
 Chest radiograph: pneumonia with nodule in left lung, suspected bronchogenic neoplasm. CT abdomen and pelvis without contrast: unremarkable
 Unknown
 Unknown
Comorbidities None identified None identified Diabetes None identified
Outcome Discharged Discharged Died Died
Discharge or death date 2024 Oct 16 2024 Oct 20 1989 October 1983 October
Hospital readmission date
 None
 2024 Nov 9
 None
 None
Laboratory findings at readmission (reference range)
Leukocyte count (4–11 × 109/L) NA 12.5 NA NA
AST (15–37 U/L) NA 705 NA NA
ALT (16–61 U/L)
 NA
 500
 NA
 NA
Imaging findings at readmission
 NA
 Chest radiograph: negative for consolidation. CT abdomen and pelvis without contrast: enlarged, edematous prostate consistent with prostatitis
 NA
 NA
Readmission outcome NA Discharged NA NA
Readmission discharge or death date NA 2024 Nov 15 NA NA
International travel history (year) NA Bahamas (2022) Unknown South Korea (1950s), Vietnam (1960s)
United States military service history NA None World War II World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War

*ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate transferase; CT, computed tomography; IV, intravenous; NA, not applicable. †Hurricane category according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (10).

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1These first authors contributed equally to this article.

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