Isolated liver abscesses in melioidosis.
Melioidosis is a suppurative chronic infection caused by a gramnegative bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei. We report two patients who presented with isolated liver abscesses caused by this pathogen. Both patients presented with high-grade fever and abdominal pain. On examination they were toxic and had tender hepatomegaly. Investigations showed leucocytosis and a shift to the left. Early diagnosis of melioidosis was made by culture and growth of Burkholderia pseudomallei from aspirated pus from the abscesses and the patients were treated with ceftazidime and co-trimoxazole. Despite institution of antibiotics both the patients succumbed to their illness. Melioidosis is an emerging infection in the Indian subcontinent and can cause isolated liver abscesses.
Mukhopadhya
A
A
Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore - 632 004, Tamil Nadu, India. ashis@cmcvellore.ac.in
Balaji
V
V
Jesudason
M V
MV
Amte
A
A
Jeyamani
R
R
Kurian
G
G
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016957:Burkholderia pseudomallei / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002442:Ceftazidime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008554:Melioidosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D002442:Ceftazidime