Burkholderia Pseudomallei: Rare Pathogen Causing Urosepsis In A Diabetic Patient - A Case Report

ABSTRACT

Burkholderiapseudomallei is soil-dwelling bacterium which causes melioidosis, a disease of tropical climates. Very few cases have been reported from the Indian subcontinent despite similarities in environmental conditions with Southeast Asian countries. Here, we report a case of acute bloodstream infection in a diabetic patient with bilateral renal calculi with bilateral hydroureteronephrosis and left gluteal cellulitis. Blood and urine samples were processed in the microbiology laboratory for culture and sensitivity. Gram stain showed short, straight Gram-negative bacilli with a “safety-pin” appearance which were motile. Blood agar yielded smooth, creamy white translucent colonies and MacConkey agar yielded wrinkled, pink-colored colonies with metallic sheen. Isolate was identified as B. pseudomallei based on biochemical reactions which were also confirmed by Vitek 2 compact. The conventional, automated blood culture and urine culture yielded the same organism which was susceptible to ceftazidime, cotrimoxazole, carbapenems, and minocycline. Diabetes is an important risk factor for the development of bacteremic melioidosis and delayed diagnosis may lead to fatal sepsis and eventually death. Our aim is to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antibiotics and thereby prevent mortality