Two Decades of Melioidosis in India: A Comprehensive Epidemiological Review

Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is a potentially fatal infection, particularly affecting individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes or kidney or liver diseases. This review examines melioidosis in India over the past two decades, focusing on its prevalence, risk factors and clinical manifestations. A PubMed search (2000–2024) identified a rise in melioidosis publications, with most from Southern India, followed by Eastern India, and an increase post-2019. Eight studies from 2010–2022 identified fever (86%), cough (26%) and joint pain (23%) as the most common symptoms, while diabetes (75%), alcohol abuse (19%) and cancer (6%) were primary predisposing factors. Severe clinical manifestations were also observed, including bacteremia (50%), pneumonia (37%) and splenic abscess (18%). Although environmental exposure risks were not significantly high, individuals with diabetes or chronic kidney disease, particularly those working in high-risk environments, were more likely to contract melioidosis. Cryptic environmental factors that might bridge known epidemiological risk factors are also addressed. The review emphasizes the increasing awareness and research in clinical epidemiology and also highlights a gap in studies on antimicrobial treatments, vaccines and environmental surveillance. Targeted interventions in diabetes and poverty hotspots could help control the disease more effectively.