Paravertebral abscess and bloodstream infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei after acupuncture: a case report

BACKGROUND: Various pathogenic bacterial infections caused by acupuncture have raised widespread concern, but paravertebral abscesses and bloodstream infections of Burkholderia pseudomallei (B.pseudomallei) after acupuncture have not been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old man was admitted to hospital with recurrent back pain and fever for 1 month, along with the finding of undiagnosed diabetes. He was considered to have tuberculosis because of unrelieved high fever and pulmonary nodules. Bilateral blood culture suggested B.pseudomallei infection, MRI of the lumbar spine suggested paravertebral abscess, and the final diagnosis was paravertebral abscess and bloodstream infection after acupuncture combined with migrating lung infection. He was discharged after abscess debridement and intensive anti-infective therapy, but no further oral antibiotics were administered because of his poor adherence. More than 5 months later, he was readmitted with the urine culture findings of B.pseudomallei. No other abscess formation was observed and he received oral antibiotics for more than 3 months without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture may lead to B.pseudomallei infection in high-risk groups, and inadequate treatment can lead to recurrent infections.