SAJCC Vol. 40 No. 2
Short Reports

Primary cutaneous melioidosis - A rare case needing intensive care unit admission

S Tripathy
Department of Microbiology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
S Pal
Department of Microbiology, Santinikentan Medical College, Bolpur, West Bengal, India
S Gutte
Department of Microbiology, Santinikentan Medical College, Bolpur, West Bengal, India

Published 2024-07-17

Keywords

  • Primary cutaneous melioidosis, Burkholderia pseudomallei, MALDI-TOF, Diabetes

How to Cite

Primary cutaneous melioidosis - A rare case needing intensive care unit admission. (2024). Southern African Journal of Critical Care, 40(2), e1362. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAJCC.2024.v40i2.1362

Abstract

Background. Melioidosis cases are increasing in Southeast Asia, posing a significant challenge owing to the rising number of diabetic and immune- compromised patients. Pneumonia is the most common presentation of melioidosis, while cutaneous melioidosis is rare.

Objective. We report a case of primary cutaneous melioidosis (PCM) that eventually required intensive care unit (ICU) management.

Method. We describe the case of a 33-year-old male with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus who initially presented with a skin lesion, which was followed by gradual multiorgan involvement diagnosed as melioidosis based on culture-positive results from blood and synovial fluid, and needed ICU admission.

Results. He was successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics and invasive mechanical ventilation after ICU admission.

Conclusion. Cutaneous melioidosis can lead to ICU admission and, if untreated, has a high fatality rate. Faster diagnostic methods like VITEK 2 Compact and MALDI TOF substantially reduce delays in initiating required treatment.

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