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Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Total Protein Extraction and 2-D Gel Electrophoresis Methods for Burkholderia Species
08:31

Total Protein Extraction and 2-D Gel Electrophoresis Methods for Burkholderia Species

Published on: October 15, 2013

Burkholderia pseudomallei-An Underrecognized Cause of Community-acquired Pneumonia: A Case Series from Central

Anuja George1, Rosmi Jose2, Chithra Valsan3

  • 1Senior Resident, Department of Microbiology, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala, India.

The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India
|August 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Melioidosis, an emerging infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is often underdiagnosed due to its similarity to other lung infections. Early diagnosis and modified antibiotic therapy in high-risk patients are crucial for improving outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is an emerging infectious disease with diverse clinical presentations, frequently resembling bacterial pneumonia or tuberculosis.
  • Pulmonary melioidosis is often underdiagnosed due to limited diagnostic facilities and clinical mimicry, particularly in endemic regions like India.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report culture-confirmed cases of pulmonary melioidosis from central Kerala.
  • To highlight the diagnostic challenges and clinical characteristics of melioidosis in patients with comorbidities.
  • To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic modification for improving patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 3 culture-confirmed cases of pulmonary melioidosis.
  • Review of clinical presentations, comorbidities, imaging findings, and treatment outcomes.
  • Microbiological confirmation using culture techniques.

Main Results:

  • All 3 patients were diabetic males with multiple comorbidities, including COPD, chronic liver disease, and a history of tuberculosis.
  • Pulmonary melioidosis presented with multifocal lung involvement on imaging, including consolidations, opacities, and cavitary lesions.
  • Despite empirical treatment modification to ceftazidime, 2 out of 3 patients died, indicating the severity of the disease.

Conclusions:

  • Heightened clinical suspicion and robust microbiological support are essential for diagnosing melioidosis, especially in high-risk individuals.
  • Early modification of empirical antibiotic therapy in patients with multifocal pulmonary lesions may improve outcomes and reduce mortality.
  • Melioidosis remains a significant public health concern in endemic areas, necessitating improved diagnostic strategies and timely intervention.

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