Melioidosis an Emerging Disease in the Indian Ocean Region: Case Series Study in Mayotte

Abstract

Background: Burkholderia pseudomallei is the agent of melioidosis. It is a bacterium from the hydrotelluric environment, highly pathogenic for humans. The geographical distribution of this disease is spreading and now affects the southwest of the Indian Ocean and in Mayotte Case presentation: We report four new cases of melioidosis with a case that was complicated by a failure of several organs (case 2) which were observed on Mayotte Island. The last two affected cases came from Madagascar. Burkholderia pseudomallei was isolated from blood cultures, confirming the diagnosis. Prolonged treatment with ceftazidime or Ertapenem intravenously followed by cotrimoxazole alone or combined with oral doxycycline led to complete recovery. Conclusion: Melioidosis poses a potential threat in the Indian Ocean region in general and Mayotte and should be carefully monitored. The high incidences of diabetes and climatologic conditions such as rainy seasons with the occurrence of tropical cyclones make Mayotte a possible setting for melioidosis. It would therefore not be surprising to see a marked increase in the incidence rate of melioidosis in the years to come.