Pulmonary melioidosis in a patient with diabetes mellitus.

A 32-year-old male diabetic developed an acute episode of progressive pulmonary melioidosis while employed in Vietnam. Ketosis and undue glycosuria frequently noted in diabetics with other acute infections were not recognized in this patient. The patient's response to combined and long-term antimicrobials was excellent. This approach to therapy is recommended in acute cases and refractory cases of chronic disease.