Multi-systemic melioidosis in a patient with type 2 diabetes in non-endemic areas: A case report and review of literature

Abstract

BACKGROUND Melioidosis, an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei ), occurs endemically in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia and is a serious opportunistic infection associated with a high mortality rate. CASE SUMMARY A 58-year-old woman presented with scattered erythema on the skin of her limbs, followed by fever and seizures. B. pseudomalle i was isolated successively from the patient’s urine, blood, and pus. Magnetic resonance imaging showed abscess formation involving the right forehead and the right frontal region. Subsequently, abscess resection and drainage were performed. The patient showed no signs of relapse after 4 months of follow-up visits post-treatment. CONCLUSION We present here a unique case of multi-systemic melioidosis that occurs in non-endemic regions in a patient who had no recent travel history. Hence, it is critical to enhance awareness of melioidosis in non-endemic regions.