Deadly Melioidosis Surges in India: 1 in 11 High-Risk Patients Affected

A recent multicentre study conducted across 15 Indian tertiary-care centers between January 2023 and December 2025 has shed light on the significant burden of melioidosis. The research found that 8.9% of high-risk hospitalised adults, equivalent to nearly one in eleven, were diagnosed with this serious infection. Tragically, the in-hospital mortality rate for confirmed cases reached 19.1%, meaning almost one in five patients succumbed to the disease.

Melioidosis, caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, is typically found in soil and water in tropical regions and enters the body through contaminated soil or water exposure. Risk factors include uncontrolled diabetes, chronic kidney or lung disease, and heavy alcohol consumption. Symptoms can be diverse, mimicking other conditions like tuberculosis, and delays in diagnosis are common due to nonspecific symptoms and laboratory identification challenges.

Experts are calling for enhanced diagnostic capabilities and improved national surveillance systems to accurately ascertain the disease's prevalence. The study identified specific regions and risk factors, such as monsoon season admissions and outdoor occupations, but further investigation is needed. Enhanced clinical awareness, accessible diagnostic testing, and systematic surveillance are crucial steps to curb deaths from this life-threatening infection.