Molecular detection of leptospirosis and melioidosis co-infection: A case report

Abstract Leptospirosis and melioidosis are important tropical infections caused by Leptospira and Burkholdheria pseudomallei , respectively. As both infections share similar clinical manifestations yet require different managements, complementary laboratory tests are crucial for the diagnosis. We describe a case of Leptospira and B. pseudomallei co-infection in a diabetic 40-year-old woman with history of visit to a freshwater camping site in northern Malaysia. To our knowledge, this is the first case of such double-infection, simultaneously demonstrated by molecular approach. This case highlights the possibility of leptospirosis and melioidosis co-infections and their underlying challenges in the rapid and accurate detection of the etiologic microorganism.