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Melioidosis septic pneumonia — ACEM Fellowship MCQ

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HardInfectious disease emergenciesMelioidosis septic pneumoniaACEM Fellowship

A 59-year-old man with diabetes presents to a Darwin ED, triage category 1, during the wet season with fever, cough and septic shock after floodwater exposure. CXR shows multilobar pneumonia, blood cultures later grow a Gram-negative bacillus and he has prostatic tenderness. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: E — Melioidosis

Wet-season septic pneumonia with diabetes and floodwater exposure in northern Australia should prompt consideration of melioidosis.

Reference: Queensland Health melioidosis guidance; eTG tropical infection