India: Melioidosis cases reported in Rajasthan State
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jodhpur, is reporting cases of melioidosis in the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan for the first time.
Five cases of the disease-two patients are from Jodhpur, one each from Jalore and Pali and details about the fifth patient are still being analyzed, caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, have been reported in the last six months, and one patient has died from the infection.
One patient succumbed to complications caused by the disease. One patient developed a brain infection, while another experienced liver damage that progressed to a bone infection. Two patients have recovered after timely intervention, while one remains hospitalized.
The emergence of these cases in a dry region like Rajasthan, where there is no history of melioidosis, is alarming. This bacteria thrives in humid conditions, but it has now been detected in the arid areas of Rajasthan. Experts at AIIMS Jodhpur suspect that changes in the bacterial strain could be allowing its survival in atypical environments.
In India, the disease was initially detected in Manipal, Karnataka. Over the years, cases have emerged in Kerala, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.
Melioidosis is caused by direct contact with Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is found in contaminated soil and water.
Cases are most common in areas of the world with tropical and sub-tropical climates–South and Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and parts of Central and South America and Puerto Rico.
Melioidosis has a wide range of nonspecific symptoms like fever, joint pain, and headaches and can cause conditions that include pneumonia, abscess formation, or blood infections. Worldwide, melioidosis is fatal in 10 – 50% of those infected.