Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis due to Burkholderia pseudomallei in a primigravida

• DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000520.v3
• Publication Date: 2023-09-13T16:15:40Z
• Authors: Shaikh Mohammed H...; Tessa Antony; Suchitra Suresh; Sowmya Gopalan
• Keywords: Burkholderia pseudomallei; Melioidosis

Melioidosis is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a Gram-negative, saprophytic bacillus, commonly found in soil or contaminated water. As infection with this bacterium produces wide variety of clinical manifestations the organism aptly called 'great mimicker'. Even though it non-fastidious and an easily cultivable organism, can be misidentified automated identification systems.A 24-year-old primigravida presented complaints fever myalgia 45 days' duration. She was diagnosed to have haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) based on laboratory parameters. Blood bone marrow culture sent microbiology grew non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli which were as cepacia matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technology. It subsequently identified B. pseudomallei 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The patient commenced intensive phase therapy intravenous ceftazidime for 2 weeks, followed maintenance oral trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole 3 months. In view HLH, she treated dexamethasone weeks later switched period 6 weeks. responded well treatment, but had undergo medical termination her pregnancy there severe intrauterine growth restriction fetus.Prognosis melioidosis excellent if early diagnosis appropriate antibiotic treatment provided. era automation, important determine suspected pathogen listed database system.