Burkholderia pseudomallei Septic Arthritis of the Knee Joint: Report of a Third Imported Case in Oman

Melioidosis is a severe disease that can affect humans and animals. It is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is an environmental aerobic gram negative bacteria. Despite being endemic in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, many cases have been reported from different regions, including the Middle East. This is the third imported case of B. pseudomallei from Oman in a 46-year-old Indian male with left knee septic arthritis in less than three weeks after arrival in Oman. He underwent open arthrotomy, and his synovial fluid culture grew a bacteria with dry, pink colonies that were oxidase positive, susceptible to amoxicillin–clavulanic, identified by API NE as B. pseudomallei, and confirmed by molecular tests. This single case report highlights the urgent need to increase molecular diagnostic capacity and improve public health surveillance while maintaining a one health tripartite approach.