Melioidosis masquerading as other tropical diseases: Diagnostic lessons from three challenging cases

Abstract

Melioidosis, an infection caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, has earned the nickname ‘the great mimicker’ owing to its tendency to resemble common infections, often leading to a delayed diagnosis and high mortality. We report three cases where it mimicked scrub typhus, tubercular arthritis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. The diagnosis of melioidosis was achieved by extensive workup; our case series sends the lesson that none should stop and settle for less, but continuously search for the actual pathogen where no adequate response to treatment is perceived.