Topic:Burkholderia mallei
Burkholderia mallei is a bacterial pathogen responsible for glanders, a contagious and potentially fatal disease affecting horses. This bacterium primarily targets the respiratory system, but it can also impact the skin and other organs. Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated surfaces, making it a concern in equine management and biosecurity. Clinical signs in horses may include nasal discharge, fever, and the formation of nodules or ulcers. Diagnosis typically involves microbiological culture, serological tests, and molecular methods. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic methods, and management strategies for Burkholderia mallei infections in horses.
Melioidosis with acute meningoencephalomyelitis in a horse. A case of acute meningoencephalomyelitis caused by infection with Pseudomonas pseudomallei is described. Clinically there was inability to stand, opisthotonus, facial paralysis and nystagmus, rapidly progressing to violent struggling. Gross examination revealed malacia and haemorrhage in the medulla oblongata and adjacent spinal cord. Microscopically there were disseminated focal neutrophilic accumulations in affected areas, perivascular cuffing with mononuclear cells and lymphocytes and marked oedema. Intracellular bacteria were identified in sections stained by the Giemsa method.