Melioidosis at a Tertiary Care Center in Jaipur, India: Diagnostic Challenges and Therapeutic Insights

Melioidosis, caused by <i>Burkholderia pseudomallei</i>, is a potentially fatal infectious disease endemic to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. We report a case of melioidosis in a male farmer in his early 50s from central India, highlighting diagnostic challenges and therapeutic outcomes in a non-endemic region. The patient presented with multiple fever episodes and acute abdominal pain primarily localized to the right upper quadrant. Physical examination revealed hepatomegaly and tenderness in the upper right quadrant. Imaging studies confirmed the presence of multiple liver abscesses. Laboratory investigations revealed leukocytosis and elevated liver enzyme and inflammatory marker levels. <i>B. pseudomallei</i> was detected in blood cultures and confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) assay. The patient was treated with meropenem and cotrimoxazole, which resulted in a good clinical response.