Rapid progression from lower limb cellulitis to fatal sepsis in an immunocompetent young patient

Melioidosis is caused by virulent Gram-negative bacilli, Burkholderia pseudomallei , which is ubiquitous in soil and water. Here, we report a case of rapid progression of cellulitis to fatal sepsis caused by B . pseudomallei in a previously healthy 27-year-old male. Despite aggressive resuscitation and antibiotic therapy, the patient succumbed to his illness within 48 h of admission. This case report highlights the challenge in diagnosing melioidosis due to its variable clinical presentation. Furthermore, in India majority of the cases of melioidosis that have been reported from patients with diabetes mellitus or other immunocompromised conditions, whereas our patient is a young immunocompetent individual.