The histopathology of culture proven Melioidosis

Abstract

Context: Melioidosis is a bacterial infection with high morbidity and mortality. Published literature on histopatholgical findings of melioidosis is sparse. Aims: To describe the histopathological findings in melioidosis. Settings and design: This is a retrospective observational study conducted at a tertiary care center in south India. Materials and methods: Histopathological findings of tissue samples from which Burkholderia pseudomallei was isolated in culture were analysed. Statistical analysis: The quantitative variables were expressed as frequency. Results: Histopathological findings in melioidosis were either acute (12 out of 18 samples), acute on chronic (5 out of 18 samples) and chronic (1 out of 18 samples). Granuloma was noted in 5 samples. Conclusion: Any acute or acute on chronic inflammation with or without granuloma in tissues from patients in endemic regions should raise the suspicion of melioidosis.

Keywords

• melioidosis
• histopathology
• burkholderia pseudomallei
• inflammation
• granuloma