Nawal Al-Kindi^1,, Paraj Hasmukhbhai Shah², Naryan A³, Seif Al-Abri⁴, Amina Al Jardani¹

We describe the case of a 47 years old Sri Lankan man living in Oman with melioidosis and the resultant occupational risk of exposure to 5 laboratory staff members to the causative agent, Burkholderia pseudomallei. Widely reported as an endemic disease in tropical and subtropical areas, B. pseudomallei was imported to Oman by our patient who had risk factors of diabetes mellitus and alcoholic cirrhotic liver disease. Microbiological and biochemical tests identified the gram negative bacillus, B. pseudomallei, in the patient’s blood sample. Five laboratory workers had occupational exposure to Burkholderia pseudomallei and received post-exposure prophylaxis. Our report highlights the importance of early suspicion of the infection and managing the patient with the correct international protocols for melioidosis especially for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Furthermore, the importance of increased awareness among laboratory personnel and the need for good laboratory practices is reported. Furthermore, improved surveillance is essential to guide early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Burkholderia pseudomallei, melioidosis, occupational risk