Eight people died after getting a brain infection called neuromelioidosis at a dental clinic in Vaniyambadi town, Tamil Nadu, in 2023. This was reported in a study published in The Lancet.

Doctors from CMC Vellore, ICMR-NIE, and the Tamil Nadu Public Health Department looked into the case. They found that the clinic used unsafe methods during dental work. A tool called a periosteal elevator was used to open a bottle of saline water, which was not supposed to be opened like that. The bottle was not sealed again and was used for other patients.

Because of this, 10 people got infected and eight of them died. The death rate was 80%. Doctors said the infection spread because the bacteria entered through the mouth and moved along nerves to the brain, instead of through the blood. Tests showed the bacteria had a gene that harms the brain. The government has not reported this case. The event shows the need for clean methods in medical and dental clinics.

What is Neuromelioidosis

Neuromelioidosis is a central nervous system infection that affects the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is found in soil and water in some areas. The symptoms include fever, headache, slurred speech, vision problems, and facial palsy.

Between July 2022 and April 2023, researchers found 21 cases of neuromelioidosis. Ten were linked to a dental clinic, and 9 of those patients died. Among the other 11 patients, the fatality rate was 9%.Health officials said the study helped identify cases and plan control steps. Dr TS Selvavinayagam from the Public Health Department said they stopped the spread with action, and the event reminds health workers to follow safety steps.

On May 9, 2023, CMC reported a rise in neuromelioidosis cases linked to a dental clinic. Four days later, health officials held a meeting with local healthcare teams. Co-author Prabu Rajkumar from ICMR-NIE said a team studied the group of cases to understand how the infection spread and where it came from.

Before doctors could visit the dental clinic to take samples, the clinic was cleaned, the water supply was stopped, and the clinic was closed due to public pressure, the authors said. However, scientists found B. pseudomallei in one saline bottle that had already been used. Unopened bottles did not show the bacteria. More tests and gene sequencing were carried out to confirm the result.

In people not linked to the clinic, the infection mostly affected areas like the salivary gland, inside the cheek, and lymph nodes. But those who were treated at the clinic became sick quickly. They developed face infections and pus-filled lumps, likely caused by using the contaminated saline.