Clinical Presentation of Melioidosis: A Case Series

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by Gramnegative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. It is a potentially fatal disease endemic to tropical and subtropical regions. Bacteria spread by contact with contaminated water and soil. The presentation of this disease is variable ranging from localized infection to fulminant septicemia and multi-organ dysfunction. Objective: The purpose of this study is to look into clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of confirmed melioidosis cases in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective case series of patients in a single tertiary care center between January 2018 and September 2021. We present a series of 19 cases admitted with a confirmed diagnosis of melioidosis. Three of 19 cases discontinued treatment in between but were included in the analysis. Results: We report 19 cases of melioidosis admitted to our hospital in a span of 3 years (17 males and 2 females). The median age of presentation was 47 years. The disease had varied presentation with lung involvement in 11 cases (57%), solid organ abscesses in 8 cases (42%), osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in 5 (26%), and acute pyelonephritis in 2 cases (10%). Lung involvement was seen as consolidation, septic emboli, and solid nodular lesions. Most common risk factor associated with disseminated disease was diabetes. Diabetes was seen in 17 cases (89.4%). All patients had uncontrolled blood sugars and 2 cases presented in DKA. Other comorbidities seen were systemic hypertension (16%), coronary artery disease (10%), chronic liver disease (10%), post COVID (10%), and SLE (5%). ARDS complicating lung condition was seen in 6 patients (54%) of which 3 patients were managed with NIV and 3 patients required invasive mechanical ventilation. AKI was seen in 11 patients (57.8%) of which 8 patients recovered from AKI and 3 patients required renal replacement therapy. One patient with associated lupus nephritis required long-term hemodialysis. Altered liver function test was seen in 11 patients (57.8%). Bone marrow suppression is common. Three patients had pancytopenia and 10 patients had thrombocytopenia. Hyponatremia was the most common electrolyte abnormality seen in 7 patients (36.8%). Of the 19 cases admitted three patients did not continue treatment. Median hospital stay for the remaining 16 cases was 16 days. 15 out of 16 cases survived with a survival rate of 93.7% and one mortality (6.2%). Conclusion: Melioidosis is a potentially fatal disease. High index of suspicion is required for diagnosing this condition due to its varied presentation. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is the cornerstone in improving the outcome. Though mortality was less than 6%, they have significant morbidity with prolonged ICU and hospital stay leading to increased economic burden.