Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei, a facultative intracellular Gram-negative bacterium casuses melioidosis, a tropical disease which is more commonly reported these days. Melioidosis can present as visceral abscess, pneumonia, localized ulcers, musculoskeletal and neurological infections, even as full blown sepsis. Melioidosis presenting as parotid abscess is commonly reported among pediatric population, however in adults it is a rare entity with only very few cases being reported. There are very limited studies that have described melioidosis with abscess in unusual sites apart from liver and splenic abscess. Here we present a case of a diabetic male with left sided parotid abscess and on microbiological evaluation found to have melioidosis which was successfully treated with combined surgical and medical treatment.
Highlights
Melioidosis is a tropical disease caused by facultative intracellular Gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei
The parotid gland involvement is seen in around one third of paediatric patients affected with melioidosis, but it is rare in adults with very few reported cases
[8] Melioidosis is known as a ‘remarkable imitator’ since it mimics several diseases from pyogenic bacterial infection to tuberculosis, and there is no pathognomonic sign of melioidosis. [9,10,11] Melioidosis manifests as inapparent infection, acute localized suppurative infection, acute pulmonary infection, acute septicemia infection or chronic suppurative infection
Summary
Melioidosis is a tropical disease caused by facultative intracellular Gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei. Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) Neck showed ill-defined soft tissue swelling with enhancement and areas of necrosis within the left pterygopalatine fossa and extending to the parapharyngeal space. It measured 2.0 x 3.4 x 3cm in size (Figure 2). For glycemic control he was placed on a basal bolus insulin regimen along with oral anti-diabetic drugs This 53- year- old gentleman who was a newly diagnosed with uncontrolled diabetes was admitted with the complaints of fever for 25 days duration. He had an enlarged and Figure 1: Left sided Parotid swelling
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
