BURKHOLDERIA PSEUDOMALLEI LIVER AND SKIN ABSCESSES

Abstract

Introduction. Melioidosis is an emerging disease that is becoming endemic in tropical regions of the world. The report of this case is important because the true prevalence of melioidosis is not well documented due to the little-known development of the disease and the lack of resources available to carry out investigations that are able to educate and familiarize medical professionals about this pathology. The purpose of this case is to acquaint the reader with the clinical presentation and progression of the disease referred for a more accurate diagnosis and avoidance of its under-registration.
Case. We report a case of a 31 year old male patient with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, who presented a 1 month duration history of cramping abdominal pain in right upper quadrant radiating to the back, high intermittent fever with chills and sweating, nausea, vomiting; frequent semiliquid stools and unquantified weight loss. Physical examination revealed hypotension, tachypnea, tachycardia, and fever of 39°C, decreased air entry at the base of the right lung, tenderness in right hypochondrium with voluntary guarding and abscess on the back of his right hand. Abdominal ultrasound showed a liver abscess in segments 7 and 8. Secretion cultures were performed from liver and hand abscesses, reporting growth of Burkholderia pseudomallei.