Septicaemic melioidosis in a tertiary care hospital in south India

Related Experiment Videos

Mary V Jesudason1, Anand Anbarasu, T Jacob John

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.

The Indian Journal of Medical Research
|October 25, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Melioidosis, a serious infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is emerging in India. Early detection and treatment are crucial, as this study found a high mortality rate of 58% in septicaemic cases.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is increasingly recognized in India.
  • Septicaemic melioidosis is a life-threatening condition requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment.
  • Tertiary care centers are observing a rise in melioidosis cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define clinical features of septicaemic melioidosis.
  • To identify predisposing conditions in patients with septicaemic melioidosis.
  • To determine the outcome of septicaemic melioidosis at a South Indian tertiary care hospital.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review of 28 patients with culture-proven septicaemic melioidosis.
  • Data collected included clinical details and patient outcomes.
  • Antibiotic susceptibility of Burkholderia pseudomallei isolates was analyzed.

Main Results:

  • The study included 28 patients with septicaemic melioidosis.
  • Clinical presentations varied, including pyrexia of unknown origin, visceral abscesses, and septic arthritis.
  • Predisposing conditions were present in 50% of patients, with diabetes mellitus being the most common. Mortality was 58%.

Conclusions:

  • Melioidosis represents an emerging infectious threat in India.
  • Increased clinical and laboratory awareness is essential to assess the full scope of the problem.
  • Early identification and management are critical for improving outcomes in septicaemic melioidosis.

Related Concept Videos

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Toxoplasmosis01:28

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...