Exploring Glanders

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Glanders, caused by a bacterium (Burkholderia mallei, earlier known as as Pseudomonas mallei or Actinobacillus mallei), is a contagious and deadly zoonotic disease which affects equines (horses, donkeys & mules) as well as humans. In horses, it appears as a chronic disease, while in donkeys and mules it is an acute disease. Man is the accidental host, usually the disease resulting from occupational contact. The bacterium possesses potential to be used as a biological weapon, a category B bio-threat agent, due to its capability to spread via inhalation route. The disease is characterized by nodules and ulcerations in the upper respiratory tract and lungs. ‘Farcy’ is its form of skin/subcutaneous affections. Glanders has been eradicated from developed countries. During World War I the agent has been accused for being used as a biological warfare agent. The present paper is an overview on Glanders, its etiology, epidemiology, the disease, recent trends in diagnosis, prevention and control of this important disease of equines having high public health concerns.
Etiology, susceptible host and mode of transmission
Burkholderia mallei is a gram negative, non-spore forming, facultative intracellular and rod shaped bacterium, which grows aerobically and require glycerol in media as an enrichment agent. On Glycerol Dextrose Agar (GDA), there is a confluent, slightly cream-coloured growth that is smooth, moist and viscid after 24h of incubation. The capsule consist protects the cell from unfavourable environmental factors. B. mallei has no flagellae and are thus nonmotile. The bacterium gets destroyed by exposure to direct sunlight within 24 hrs. Common disinfectants (phenol, potassium permanganate, copper sulphate, formalin and chlorine) a...

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...used as biological weapon in biowarfares/terrorism. It is a highly contagious and fatal disease and therefore, active monitoring of Glanders is necessary. Timely diagnosis glanders is an important factor for follow up of appropriate treatment. Regulatory strategies require proper disposal of diseased animals. For extremely valuable breeding stocks, effective treatment modalities and post-exposure prophylaxis need to be implemented. There is no effective vaccine for this disease, long courses of antibiotics is required to eliminate/eradicate this pathogen. The development of effective novel vaccines and measures to combat this deadly pathogen having high zoonotic threat including its probale use in biowarfares are highly in demand. Proper trade restrictions need to be adapted, an exporting country must be free of the disease for at least 6 months prior to shipment.

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