Melioidosis caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, is an important cause of pyrexia of unknown origin, sepsis and multiple abscesses in several tropical areas including South-east Asia and Northern Australia. This disease entity can have acute and chronic presentation involving different organ systems. The purpose of this study is to see the clinical response of intravenous ceftazidime as an intensive phase antimicrobial in Melioidosis. We carried out a retrospective study of three culture proven cases of Melioidosis at Teaching Hospital Batticaloa, SriLanka. All patients had near total recovery after the intensive phase of chemotherapy for 28 days. The mean fever clearance time was 8.33 days. The mean time taken for highest CRP value to reduce by 50% was 6.66 days. Better outcome of these cases highlights the importance of early diagnosis with a high index of suspicion, correct use of antibiotic and improved microbiology services in our study. However, the adequate sample size is needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings. Delay in diagnosis may have been a factor contributing to the high mortality.
