Splenic granuloma: Melioidosis or Tuberculosis?

Melioidosis well known as a 'great mimicker' is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. Even though majority of the patients present with acute infection, around 18 % can present as chronic infection. These latent foci of infection may reactivate to cause fulminant infection at a later date. Due to lack of clinical suspicion and good laboratory facility latent infections are often misdiagnosed and treated as tuberculosis. Chronic splenic granuloma is a rare manifestation of Melioidosis . Deep seated abscess requires atleast 4 weeks of intensive treatment with intravenous antibiotics. Ceftazidime , the drug of choice for melioidosis can cause drug induced thrombocytopenia. Simultaneous use of diclofenac may potentiate this phenomenon. Treatment with meropenem may be life saving in such situitations.