A 45-year-old male presented with fever, cough, and weight loss, initially misdiagnosed as tuberculosis. Despite antitubercular treatment, his condition worsened, developing a lung abscess and pleural effusion. Bronchoalveolar lavage culture and pus aspiration from the abscess eventually identified Burkholderia pseudomallei, confirming melioidosis. The patient received appropriate antibiotic therapy and showed significant improvement. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of melioidosis, especially in endemic areas where it can closely mimic tuberculosis, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Early and accurate microbiological identification is crucial for effective management and preventing adverse outcomes.
Key note: Melioidosis can present with symptoms indistinguishable from tuberculosis, necessitating high clinical suspicion and accurate microbiological diagnosis, particularly in endemic regions.