Melioidosis of Chest Wall Masquerading as a Tubercular Cold Abscess

Melioidosis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, an important human pathogen in the tropical regions causes protean and multisystem clinical manifestations. A 50-year-old man on treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis developed a chest wall abscess. With a suspicion of tuberculous cold abscess, pus culture was done and it revealed Burkholderia pseudomallei. He was treated with 10 days of ceftazidime and incision and drainage was done. Wound healed well and he has now completed three months of oral cotrimoxazole eradication therapy and is on follow-up without recurrence. We report this case for the unusual presentation of melioidosis and the diagnostic challenge posed due to clinical similarity with tuberculosis.