Melioidosis--a case series from south India.

Melioidosis is sporadically reported from various parts of India. We present a case series from south India, highlighting the varied manifestations of the disease. Seven cases of culture-proven melioidosis are presented in whom Burkholderia pseudomallei were isolated from aspirate or blood. Melioidosis had a varied presentation involving multiple abscesses in the soft tissues, liver, spleen, mediastinum and the subdural space. It presented as either acute fulminant sepsis or followed a chronic indolent course, mimicking tuberculosis. Most cases had predisposing risk factors such as diabetes and chronic alcoholism.