Abstract

Background: Melioidosis is a severe infectious disease caused by Burkholderiapseudomallei, a Gram-negative bacterium endemic to tropical regions. While it most commonly affects the lungs, melioidosis can present as a multisystemic infection, impacting various organ systems, including the liver, spleen, kidneys, skin, and central nervous system. The clinical manifestations of multisystemic melioidosis are diverse and range from localized abscesses and septicemia to more severe presentations such as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and disseminated infection with organ failure. Diagnosis is often challenging due to its nonspecific symptoms and requires microbiological culture, PCR, and serological tests. We report a case of a 25-year-old male who presented with fever and headache and diagnosis was made of multisystemicmelioidosis and treated accordingly. Conclusion: Despite appropriate therapy, the mortality rate remains high, particularly in cases with delayed diagnosis or in immunocompromised patients. Understanding the pathophysiology, risk factors, and optimal management strategies for multisystemic melioidosis is crucial for improving patient outcomes in endemic regions and for travelers to these areas.

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