Septicemic melioidosis complicating undiagnosed chronic kidney disease and beta-Thalassemia minor in a Bangladeshi farmer

Abstract

Melioidosis is an emerging infectious disease in many countries including Bangladesh. Patients with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk for infection by Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent for melioidosis. Here, we report an autochthonous case of septicemic melioidosis occurring in a middle-Aged non-diabetic Bangladeshi farmer who presented with prolonged pyrexia and splenomegaly. Diagnostic workup revealed splenic micro-Abscesses, previously undetected chronic kidney disease (CKD) and beta-Thalassemia minor. This case stresses the importance of searching for less common risk factors for melioidosis such as CKD and hemolytic anemia.