A genetic variant of Burkholderia mallei detected in Kuwait: Consequences for the PCR diagnosis of glanders.
Abstract: Glanders is a contagious zoonotic disease caused by Burkholderia mallei. Following the detection of glanders positive horses using the OIE complement fixation test, the tissues of two horses were analysed by PCR. While PCR systems targeting the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex gave positive signals, the species-specific PCR systems targeting B. mallei (fliP-IS407A) and B. pseudomallei (orf11)-the OIE recommended targets-resulted in negative signals. However, the presence of B. mallei in these tissues was confirmed with a recently described B. mallei-specific real-time PCR system and genotyping with MLST- and SNP-based methods, performed on the most positive tissue, identified a genotype closely related to B. mallei strains recently isolated in the Middle East. This study leads to recommendations regarding the use of PCR systems for the molecular diagnosis of glanders, especially in regions where the circulating B. mallei strains have not yet been fully genetically characterized.
© 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
Publication Date: 2020-09-11 PubMed ID: 33245616DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13777Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study focuses on the detection and identification of a specific strain of Burkholderia mallei, the bacteria that causes glanders, in horses in Kuwait, and the potential implications this has for PCR-based diagnostics of the disease.
Background
- The research revolves around a disease called glanders, which is caused by a bacterium, Burkholderia mallei. This is a contagious disease that mostly affects animals, particularly horses.
- The standard detection method for glanders is the OIE complement fixation test. This study involves the analysis of glanders-positive horse tissues using this test.
- PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), a method that allows scientists to produce millions of copies of a specific DNA sequence, is used to identify the presence of B. mallei in these tissues.
Findings
- The researchers found that while the PCR systems that target the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex gave positive results, the species-specific PCR systems that target B. mallei and B. pseudomallei (recommended by the OIE) gave negative results.
- In contrast, a B. mallei-specific real-time PCR system and genotyping with MLST- (Multilocus sequence typing) and SNP- (Single nucleotide polymorphisms) based methods confirmed the presence of B. mallei in the tissues.
- Additionally, the genetic identification methods revealed that the B. mallei strain in the horses is closely related to strains recently isolated in the Middle East.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- The study suggests that the existing PCR systems for the molecular diagnosis of glanders may not be adequate, particularly in regions where the circulating B. mallei strains have not yet been fully genetically characterized.
- The researchers recommend a reassessment of the current PCR methods used in diagnosing glanders, especially in light of the discovery of this previously unidentified strain.
- The findings highlight the importance of ongoing genetic research and characterization of B. mallei strains in improving the accuracy and reliability of diagnostic tools for glanders.
Cite This Article
APA
Laroucau K, Aaziz R, Vorimore F, Varghese K, Deshayes T, Bertin C, Delannoy S, Sami AM, Al Batel M, El Shorbagy M, Almutawaa KAW, Alanezi SJ, Alazemi YSN, Guernier-Cambert V, Wernery U.
(2020).
A genetic variant of Burkholderia mallei detected in Kuwait: Consequences for the PCR diagnosis of glanders.
Transbound Emerg Dis, 68(2), 960-963.
https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.13777 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory for Animal Health, Bacterial Zoonosis Unit, European and OIE Reference Laboratory for Glanders, Paris-Est University, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Laboratory for Animal Health, Bacterial Zoonosis Unit, European and OIE Reference Laboratory for Glanders, Paris-Est University, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Laboratory for Animal Health, Bacterial Zoonosis Unit, European and OIE Reference Laboratory for Glanders, Paris-Est University, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Centre & Animal Health Department, Agriculture Affairs & Fish Resources Authority (PAAF), Kuwait.
- Laboratory for Animal Health, Bacterial Zoonosis Unit, European and OIE Reference Laboratory for Glanders, Paris-Est University, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Laboratory for Animal Health, Bacterial Zoonosis Unit, European and OIE Reference Laboratory for Glanders, Paris-Est University, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Food Research Laboratory, IdentyPath Platform, University Paris-Est, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Centre & Animal Health Department, Agriculture Affairs & Fish Resources Authority (PAAF), Kuwait.
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Centre & Animal Health Department, Agriculture Affairs & Fish Resources Authority (PAAF), Kuwait.
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Centre & Animal Health Department, Agriculture Affairs & Fish Resources Authority (PAAF), Kuwait.
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Centre & Animal Health Department, Agriculture Affairs & Fish Resources Authority (PAAF), Kuwait.
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Centre & Animal Health Department, Agriculture Affairs & Fish Resources Authority (PAAF), Kuwait.
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Centre & Animal Health Department, Agriculture Affairs & Fish Resources Authority (PAAF), Kuwait.
- Agricultural Research Service, National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA.
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, OIE Reference Laboratory for Glanders, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Burkholderia mallei / genetics
- Glanders / diagnosis
- Glanders / epidemiology
- Glanders / microbiology
- Horses
- Kuwait / epidemiology
- Multilocus Sequence Typing / veterinary
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Species Specificity
- Zoonoses
Grant Funding
- European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Consumers
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