Mycotic aneurysm in Northeast Thailand: the importance of Burkholderia pseudomallei as a causative pathogen.

Forty cases of mycotic aneurysm that occurred during the period 1993-2007 were reviewed. The most common causative pathogen was Burkholderia pseudomallei (17 cases; 42.5%). Postoperative complications and bacteremia were significantly more common among patients with mycotic aneurysm due to B. pseudomallei than they were among patients with mycotic aneurysm that was not attributable to B. pseudomallei. In a region in which melioidosis is endemic, empirical antimicrobial therapy for suspected mycotic aneurysm should cover B. pseudomallei.