Selective media and real-time PCR improves diagnosis of melioidosis in community-acquired pneumonia in a low-incidence setting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

(melioidosis) is an important cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the tropics. Selective medium is recommended for laboratory diagnosis with non-sterile respiratory samples, while PCR is not routinely used due to variable reported performance. The effectiveness of these diagnostic modalities varies by site.