melioidosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very RareTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “melioidosis” mean?
A serious infectious disease of humans and animals caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, typically contracted through contact with contaminated soil or water.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A serious infectious disease of humans and animals caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, typically contracted through contact with contaminated soil or water.
A tropical and subtropical disease, also known as Whitmore's disease, which can cause a wide range of symptoms from localized abscesses to severe pneumonia and blood infection (septicemia). It is considered a potential bioterrorism agent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. Both regions use the same term in medical literature. Pronunciation may show minor accent variations.
Connotations
Professionally neutral; purely clinical in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to specialist medical, microbiological, and epidemiological contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “melioidosis” in a Sentence
Patients *with* melioidosis require...The diagnosis *of* melioidosis was confirmed.Melioidosis is endemic *in* Southeast Asia.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “melioidosis” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The melioidosis research unit published new guidelines.
- A melioidosis-positive sample was identified.
American English
- The melioidosis surveillance program is active.
- A melioidosis-related death was reported.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. Might appear in reports for pharmaceutical companies or public health consulting.
Academic
Used in medical, veterinary, and microbiological research papers, textbooks, and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary register. Used in clinical diagnoses, lab reports, epidemiological studies, and public health advisories in endemic regions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “melioidosis”
- Misspelling as 'meloidosis' (dropping the 'i').
- Incorrect pronunciation with stress on the first syllable (/ˈmiːlioʊ.../).
- Confusing it with more common diseases like tuberculosis or leptospirosis.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is endemic in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, but cases have been reported in other tropical and subtropical areas.
Treatment typically involves intensive intravenous antibiotics (like ceftazidime or meropenem) for several weeks, followed by a long course of oral eradication therapy.
Yes, if not diagnosed and treated promptly with appropriate antibiotics, the septicemic form has a very high mortality rate.
Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare. The primary route of infection is through direct contact with contaminated soil or water.
A serious infectious disease of humans and animals caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, typically contracted through contact with contaminated soil or water.
Melioidosis is usually technical/medical in register.
Melioidosis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmiːlɪɔɪˈdəʊsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmiːlioʊɪˈdoʊsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MELI' (like 'malady') + 'OID' (resembling) + 'OSIS' (a disease condition) = a disease resembling a glanders-like malady.
Conceptual Metaphor
The disease is often conceptualized as a 'hidden landmine' or 'silent threat' in the soil, which 'awakens' under certain conditions (like monsoon rains).
Practice
Quiz
Melioidosis is primarily caused by which bacterium?