Melioidosis in a diabetic sailor.

Melioidosis was diagnosed in a diabetic sailor who presented with a history and chest radiograph that suggested tuberculosis. Melioidosis is a tropical disease with protean manifestations: from asymptomatic infection to chronic cavitary lung disease to overwhelming sepsis. The diagnosis is easily made, even in nonendemic areas when duly considered by the clinicians and microbiology laboratory. Ceftazidime has dramatically improved outcomes in hospitalized patients with severe melioidosis.