Although most commonly found in the tropics (eg., Australia)…
Although most commonly found in the tropics (eg., Australia), this soil- and water-borne Gram-negative bacterium has recently been found in the soil and water of the Mississippi Gulf Coast when two cases of Whitmore’s disease were diagnosed in Mississipians who had no history of travel to endemic regions. Although most people exposed to this bacterium do not develop disease, those who have diabetes or alcoholism are most likely to develop Whitmore’s disease, which is fatal in 20-50% of cases even with treatment. is the cause of Whitmore’s disease.