AN UNUSUSAL PRESENTATION OF POLYSEROSITIS

Dr. Harini G. L.* and Dr. Nagaraj B. S.

ABSTRACT

Melioidosis or Whitmore’s disease is an infectious saprophytic disease caused by Burkholderia Pseudomallei. The disease is most prevalent in South East Asia and Northern Australia. Thailand has the maximum reported cases.[1] In India, it is more prevalent in the South Western coast; however, there are no data on its prevalence and most of the cases go unrecognized.[2] The disease is transmitted via exposure of broken skin to contaminated soil, particularly wet paddy fields. Other mode of transmission is via aerosols. Important risk factors for the disease are occupational exposure, i.e., agriculturist, type 2 diabetes mellitus, immune deficiency state and renal disorder. Clinical features of melioidosis are highly variable. They range from asymptomatic disease, localized skin ulcers or abscesses and acute fulminant septicaemia to chronic infection. Predisposing factors for melioidosis include chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic renal failure, chronic lung disease and alcoholism.[1-3] Timely diagnosis and prompt institution of correct antibiotics will prevent high morbidity and mortality.

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