Primary cutaneous melioidosis acquired in Nepal – Case report and literature review

A 27 years-old Dutch male returning from Nepal presented with a painful abscess on the left forearm without fever or other systemic complications. Signs and symptoms consisted of culture of the abscess material revealed Burkholderia pseudomallei. Laboratory results, chest X-ray and CT scan of the abdomen were without abnormalities. The patient was initially treated with 2 weeks of ceftazidime and continued with a 6-week oral eradication phase with trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. The patient recovered without complications. Melioidosis is encountered relatively infrequently as an imported condition, mainly from Southeast Asia with focus on Thailand. Melioidosis from Nepal is a rarity and has previously been described in only four cases, with possible acquisition abroad in three of those.