Cutaneous melioidosis and necrotizing fasciitis with pulmonary involvement in a chicken seller

Melioidosis is endemic in Malaysia. Cutaneous melioidosis is one manifestation and it may progress to necrotizing fasciitis. The case highlights a 46-year-old male, a chicken-seller who presented with scalp cellulitis which later progressed to necrotizing fasciitis and pneumonia are presented here. It illustrates several key features of the presentation, prompt laboratory diagnosis and early treatment of melioidosis which saved the patient's life.