Related Experiment Videos
Melioidosis In India: the tip of the iceberg?
T J John1, M V Jesudason, M K Lalitha
1Department of Microbiology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore.
Abstract:
Diagnosis of melioidosis by the isolation of Burkholderia pseudomallei from one or more body fluid/tissue specimens of 6 Indian subjects, 5 of whom had not travelled outside India, is reported. The places of residence of these 6 and one patient previously reported, namely Tripura (2), Kerala (2), Orissa (1), Tamil Nadu (1) and Maharashtra (1) are therefore potentially endemic for melioidosis. B.pseudomallei closely resembles common contaminant Pseudomonas sp. and are easily mis-identified in microbiology laboratories. We surmise that melioidosis is underdiagnosed and underreported in India and we alert clinicians, microbiologists and public health professionals to the possibility of melioidosis being far more common than previously recognised.
Insights
Melioidosis, a serious bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is likely underdiagnosed in India. This study identifies potential endemic regions and highlights the need for increased awareness among healthcare professionals.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Melioidosis is a severe bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.
- The disease is endemic in tropical regions, but its prevalence in India is not well-established.
- Burkholderia pseudomallei can be misidentified as common contaminants in clinical laboratories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the diagnosis of melioidosis in Indian subjects.
- To identify potential endemic areas of melioidosis in India.
- To raise awareness about the underdiagnosis and underreporting of melioidosis in India.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of Burkholderia pseudomallei from clinical specimens.
- Case reporting and geographical mapping of patient residence.
- Review of potential diagnostic challenges in microbiology laboratories.
Main Results:
- Six cases of melioidosis were diagnosed in Indian subjects.
- Five of these subjects had no travel history outside India.
- Identified potential endemic regions in Tripura, Kerala, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
Conclusions:
- Melioidosis is potentially endemic in several regions of India.
- The misidentification of Burkholderia pseudomallei poses a diagnostic challenge.
- Clinicians, microbiologists, and public health professionals should consider melioidosis as a more common diagnosis in India.