The clinical profile and predictors of mortality in patients with melioidosis in South India

Abstract

Melioidosis is an underdiagnosed and underreported disease in India with protean clinical manifestations. Mortality in this study population was 17%. The predominant risk factor for melioidosis was diabetes mellitus. Multifocal disease was present in 66% and pulmonary involvement in 61% of patients. In a country like India where the conditions are conducive for endemic melioidosis and due to the clinical similarity of melioidosis to diseases like tuberculosis, it is essential for clinicians to have a high degree of suspicion and pursue suitable diagnostic strategies for melioidosis in the appropriate clinical setting.