Melioidosis Presenting as Parotid Abscess in an Adult - A Case Report

Abstract

Burkholderia pseudomallei, a facultative intracellular Gram-negative bacterium casuses melioidosis, a tropical disease which is more commonly reported these days. Melioidosis can present as visceral abscess, pneumonia, localized ulcers, musculoskeletal and neurological infections, even as full blown sepsis. Melioidosis presenting as parotid abscess is commonly reported among pediatric population, however in adults it is a rare entity with only very few cases being reported. There are very limited studies that have described melioidosis with abscess in unusual sites apart from liver and splenic abscess. Here we present a case of a diabetic male with left sided parotid abscess and on microbiological evaluation found to have melioidosis which was successfully treated with combined surgical and medical treatment.