Burkholderia pseudomallei infection in a patient with diabetes presenting with multiple splenic abscesses and abscess in the foot: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Melioidosis or infection with Burkholderia pseudomallei presents with protean manifestations. We present a case of melioidosis in a diabetic patient from India. The case is presented to highlight the importance of early microbiologic diagnosis and subsequent institution of appropriate therapy to achieve a better prognosis CASE PRESENTATION: A male bachelor around 50 years of age from India presented with low grade fever, bilateral ankle swelling and hypochondrial pain. On examination patient had diabetes and had multiple abscesses in bilateral ankle, knee and splenic region. Microbiologic diagnosis revealed the etiologic agent to be Burkholderia pseudomallei. Patient was managed with iv ceftazidime and surgical excision. CONCLUSION: The case report highlights the importance of early identification of etiologic agent. B. pseudomallei identification requires a great deal of clinical suspicion as well as alertness on the part of the medical microbiologist as these isolates are often reported as Pseudomonas spp. Correct identification of the etiologic agent is essential as B pseudomallei requires prolonged antimicrobial therapy for a better clinical outcome.