Open AccessMelioidosis – A Rare Cause of Neck Abscess in Immunocompromised
Author(s) -
V. G. Nayana,
S Saimanohar,
Dr.Nandini Raveendra,
Sheetal Rai,
P Preethishree
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
bengal journal of otolaryngology and head neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2395-2407
pISSN - 2395-2393
DOI - 10.47210/bjohns.2021.v29i1.405
Subject(s) - melioidosis , burkholderia pseudomallei , medicine , abscess , antibiotics , surgery , rare disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , intensive care medicine , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , genetics , biology
Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a saprophytic bacterium found in soil and water. Though multiple abscesses are a common presentation of melioidosis, isolated neck abscess due to B. pseudomallei is extremely rare and it is more prevalent in immunocompromised people.Case ReportA young woman with uncontrolled Type II diabetes presented with neck abscess. Abscess was drained and culture showed Burkholderia pseudomallei. Appropriate treatment was given, including 3 weeks of parenteral antibiotics and 3 months of oral prophylactic antibiotics to prevent relapses. Patient responded well to treatment.DiscussionIncreased awareness of opportunistic infections like melioidosis is essential in the present era as diabetes is emerging as a global pandemic. It clinically resembles tubercular neck abscess. Strong clinical suspicion, early intervention and long term antibiotics can cure the disease completely without relapse.