Melioidosis Neck Abscess: An Opportunistic Infection in Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Melioidosis is caused by the gram-negative environmental saprophyte, Burkholderia pseudomallei. This disease has caused significant morbidity and mortality to the diabetic population. Melioidosis can affect multiple systems; however, the reports on head and neck regions are relatively uncommon. The disease is endemic particularly in the Southeast Asia and northern Australia. We here report a case of neck abscess caused by B. pseudomallei, which is a rare but an important differential diagnosis of neck abscess.




J Med Cases. 2016;7(8):358-360
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc2580w