Is Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency a Risk Factor for Melioidosis?

Abstract

Melioidosis is an infection that causes high morbidity and mortality. Predisposing risk factors include diabetes mellitus and immunocompromised state. We report a case of septic shock secondary to bacteremia caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei in a patient who is supposed to be previously healthy and subsequently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and G6PD deficiency. He completed 17 days of intravenous antibiotics followed by a 12-week course of oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. We postulate that G6PD deficiency could be a risk factor for melioidosis.