Table 1.

Criteria for the diagnosis of naturally acquired melioidosis

	Definition
Definite melioidosis	One or more clinical samples culture-positive for B. pseudomallei
Probable melioidosis	Evidence of one or more abscesses that would be consistent with a diagnosis of melioidosis* but culture not performed or negative for B. pseudomallei, or culture negative for B. pseudomallei on first presentation but represented to hospital within 1 month with culture-proven melioidosis
Possible melioidosis	Clinically suspected melioidosis improved after treatment with an effective antimicrobial regimen for melioidosis (ceftazidime/carbapenem drug/amoxicillin-clavulanate) or clinically suspected melioidosis but the patient died before improvement was observed
Not melioidosis	Definite alternative diagnosis for manifestations leading to suspected melioidosis or resolution of clinical features of suspected melioidosis without treatment with antimicrobial drugs with activity against B. pseudomallei

^* Evidence of splenic and/or hepatic abscesses with appearance on ultrasound characteristic for melioidosis (Swiss cheese appearance or small dispersed abscesses) or parotid or prostatic abscess in a melioidosis-endemic region where B. pseudomallei is the most probable cause.