Melioidosis | 19 Mar 2025

Source: TH 

A recent study highlights how climate conditions, particularly monsoon-related factors, influence the spread of melioidosis. 

• Melioidosis: It is a bacterial infectious disease, linked to rainfall, temperature, and humidity. 
  • It is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei and primarily acquired by inoculation, inhalation and/or ingestion of soil- and water-dwelling environmental saprophytes. 
• South Asia (endemic to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka), including India, accounts for 44% of global melioidosis cases, with Odisha as a hotspot due to its agriculture and extreme weather. 
  • It is primarily found in Northern Australia and Southeast Asia. 
• Symptoms range from mild skin infections to severe pneumonia and sepsis, with a fatality rate of up to 50% in septic cases. 
  • It is not transmitted from animals to humans, and human-to-human transmission is rare. 
• Melioidosis can be treated with antibiotics but it trouble doctors because: 
  • Diverse Symptoms: Causes a wide range of infections, from mild skin issues to severe pneumonia and sepsis. 
  • Diagnostic Challenges: Often misidentified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a more common bacterium, leading to inappropriate treatment. 
  • Complex Treatment: Needs prolonged therapy (12-20 weeks) with a risk of recurrence if not treated properly.