Systemic Melioidosis Presenting as Septic Arthritis

Abstract

Melioidosis is a pyogenic infection that is potentially fatal, caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is commonly a soilborne pathogen.It is endemic in the Indian subcontinent, northern Australia, and Southeast Asia. Melioidosis has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations that can mimic various diseases. Septic arthritis is a rare but well-known clinical presentation. Here, we report a case of an adult presenting with acute knee joint pain and swelling. He was subsequently found to have septic arthritis with other system involvement and diagnosed as a case of melioidosis; he responded well to the treatment.

Keywords: emerging disease; eradication of melioidosis; melioidosis; septic arthritis; systemic melioidosis.