Epidemiology and clinical presentation of patients with melioidoisis at the District General Hospital, Chilaw

Background : Melioidosis is emerging in Sri Lanka. Clinical presentation is variable. Underlying risk factors include diabetes. Objective: To describe the epidemiology of patients with culture confirmed melioidosis presenting to the District General Hospital, Chilaw between 2014-2017. Method: Melioidosis was diagnosed in the microbiology laboratory by culture of Burkholderia pseudomallei from patients’ specimens. Isolates were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibodies were detected using the Indirect Haemagglutination Assay (IHA). Epidemiological data were collected from patients using a questionnaire. Results: Culture positive melioidosis was found in 15 patients. Melioidosis was more common in males and in adults. Clinical presentation was variable. Diabetes was the most important underlying risk factor. The case fatality rate was 40%. Conclusions: This case series demonstrates that melioidosis is endemic in the North Western Province and is an important cause of community acquired infection.