Two children in Quang Tri have Whitmore disease.

SKĐS - Two children in Quang Tri were infected with Burkhoderia Pseudomallei bacteria (bacteria that cause Whitmore disease) after being treated intensively at Hue Central Hospital, one of whom has been discharged from the hospital.

On the afternoon of August 6, the leader of Hue Central Hospital said that among the two pediatric patients infected with Burkhoderia seudomallei bacteria (bacteria causing Whitmore disease) treated at the Children's Center, one case has recovered well and has been discharged for outpatient treatment.

Accordingly, patient NLDH (19 months old, residing in Hai Lang district, Quang Tri) started the disease with signs of pain and swelling in the left parotid area, was hospitalized at the Department of Ear - Nose - Throat, Hue Central Hospital to incise the abscess. Afterwards, the patient was cultured for Burkhoderia Pseudomallei bacteria (bacteria that cause Whitmore disease) and was transferred to the Pediatric Center.

Illustration photo.

After 2 weeks of treatment with intravenous antibiotics, the patient's health stabilized, the parotid wound was dry, and he was discharged from the hospital for outpatient treatment with antibiotics for at least 3 months, with regular check-ups.

The second case is patient TNN (6 months old, residing in Cam Lo district, Quang Tri). The patient developed the disease 5 days before being hospitalized with a continuous high fever, loose stools 6-7 times/day with rapid breathing and difficulty breathing.

During treatment at the lower level hospital, the child was diagnosed and treated for sepsis but had no improvement in fever, rapid breathing, and difficulty breathing, so he was transferred to Hue Central Hospital.

Here, the blood culture results showed Burkholderia Pseudomallei bacteria, diagnosed with lung abscess with sepsis caused by Burkholderia Pseudomallei bacteria. The doctor actively treated with intravenous antibiotics combined with oral antibiotics.

After 3 days of intensive care, the patient's fever and difficulty breathing have subsided, but he still has a cough and a lot of phlegm. He is currently continuing antibiotic treatment according to the regimen.

MSc. Dr. Tran Thi Hanh Chan, Head of the Department of Digestive, Urology, and Tropical Diseases (Children's Center) said that Whitmore disease is mainly transmitted through skin contact or food and water containing bacteria. The disease often appears during storms and floods, in places with poor hygiene conditions.

Patients with the disease require long-term antibiotic treatment, usually with injections for 2-4 weeks. If the response is good, the disease can be treated as an outpatient with oral antibiotics for at least 3 months.

According to Dr. Tran Thi Hanh Chan, the treatment of Whitmore disease in children is often difficult to comply with due to the child's lack of cooperation and vomiting. In addition, during the treatment process, some children have immunodeficiencies and relapses, requiring the treatment to be extended to about 1 year.

According to statistics, from 2014 to 2019, Hue Central Hospital received about 83 cases diagnosed with Whitmore (cultures positive for Burkhoderia Pseudomallei bacteria). Since 2020, the number of cases has gradually decreased. From the beginning of 2024 until now, the hospital has received 17 cases.

Hoang Dung

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/hai-chau-be-o-quang-tri-mac-benh-whitmore-187434.htm