Melioidosis is a disease caused by a motile, pleomorphic, Gram-negative bacillus, Pseudomonas pseudomallei. The clinical manifestations were first described in 1912 by Whitmore and Krishnaswami (17). Clinically as well as bacteriologically related to glanders, melioidosis is characterized by a fulminating septicemia with extreme prostration and a high mortality rate. Over 300 cases of this disease have been reported, 2 in persons who had never been outside the United States (2, 11). The 7 pathologically proved cases in this series were in United States servicemen in South Vietnam. The clinical manifestations, pathologic findings, and radiologic correlation will be considered in an attempt to establish an approach for early diagnosis. All the 7 cases in our experience occurred in individuals who were in excellent health prior to their illness. They had been engaged in widely varied activities; therefore, from an initial epidemiologic search, the only common factor is general location. Six of the 7 patients...