A rare case of melioidosis presenting as myositis in Sri Lanka

Melioidosis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei is an emerging infection in Sri Lanka with a high case fatality rate. The disease usually manifests as pneumonia, however multisystem involvement is common. Myositis is an extremely rare occurrence and this is the only documented case where the initial presentation of melioidosis has been myositis and later complicated to myonecrosis.

A 45-year-old gentleman with pre-existing diabetes presented with a tender, right thigh lump for 1 week duration without any history of trauma or infection. Investigations revealed neutrophil leukocytosis, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels whilst ultrasonography showed focal myositis of right quadriceps. The patient went into sepsis amidst antibacterial treatment which warranted urgent surgery. At surgery, a large intramuscular abscess with myonecrosis was observed within vastus medialis which was completely drained and pus was taken for culture which eventually isolated Burkholderia pseudomallei. Melioidosis was diagnosed and intravenous meropenem was prescribed for 3 weeks. Following complete recovery, the patient was discharged on doxycycline and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole for 3 months.

Melioidosis, an endemic disease in south east Asia and northern Australia, is an emerging infection in Sri Lanka. Myositis is a rare presentation of the disease that can lead to myonecrosis and abscess formation which can cause rapid disease escalation and sepsis. Early surgical intervention may be life-saving in such cases where antibiotic therapy alone may not suffice.