Melioidosis – An under-recognized dreaded disease in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Melioidosis is a disease endemic to India but often goes unrecognized, leading to considerable illness and death. We present the case of a 31-year-old man who had a fever of unknown origin, abnormal renal and liver function tests, and negative tests for dengue, typhoid, leptospirosis, and scrub typhus. Imaging revealed multiple splenic infarcts. Initially suspected to be malaria due to its prevalence in South India, further investigation uncovered pneumonia along with several liver and splenic abscesses, raising the possibility of melioidosis. Blood culture eventually identified Burkholderia pseudomallei, confirming the diagnosis. As malaria cases decline in Southeast Asia, emergency physicians should consider melioidosis in their differential diagnosis of acute febrile illnesses, especially in endemic areas. Early detection and prompt antibiotic treatment are vital for managing this often under-recognized disease with a high fatality rate. Thus, melioidosis should be considered in patients with unexplained fever in endemic regions, as early diagnosis and intervention can be life-saving.

Keywords

• acute undifferentiated febrile illness
• burkholderia pseudomallei
• emergency medicine
• melioidosis
• multiple abscesses
• pneumonia
• pyrexia of unknown origin
• southeast asia