Development of Rose Bengal test against mallein test for rapid diagnosis of equine glanders.
Abstract: Burkholderia mallei, the etiologic agent of the disease known as glanders. Clinical and bacteriological diagnosis of glanders is difficult in the early stages of the disease. Currently, mallein (allergic hypersensitivity test) is used for the diagnosis of glanders. The mallein test requires an experienced laboratory person and lasts 48 h. Therefore, in order to quickly diagnose the disease, especially in areas (such as the borders of the country) that cannot be kept animals, new methods should be used to identify the disease. The Rose Bengal is a serological diagnostic test and has been recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). In this study, the Rose Bengal test (RBT) was evaluated for the diagnosis of equine glanders, and its diagnostic was compared with mallein test. Methods: Sera from 70 naturally infected culture-positive horses, 3 equines that were sensitized by injecting antigen and 110 healthy equines were tested. Specificity and sensitivity of RBT and mallein test when testing culture-positive equines were calculated. Results: Diagnosis of glanders with both methods yield the same results, but Rose Bengal test is much faster than mallein test for diagnosis of equine glanders. Conclusions: By comparative RBT with mallein test, it can be considered, RBT test has been used for rapid detection of glanders with features such as, ease of use and can be applicable without specialized equipment and trained personnel. Because the RBT is simpler and rapid to perform, the inclusion of the test as a supplementary test for the diagnosis of glanders in field conditions is recommended.
Publication Date: 2019-04-30 PubMed ID: 31041722DOI: 10.1007/s11250-019-01890-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article focuses on the evaluation of the efficiency of the Rose Bengal test for the diagnosis of glanders in equines, as compared to the mallein test currently in use. The study shows that the Rose Bengal test displays comparable accuracy to the mallein test but offers faster results, making it a recommended supplementary diagnostic tool in field conditions.
Introduction and Background
- Glanders is a disease in horses caused by Burkholderia mallei. It is challenging to diagnose this disease, especially in the early stages.
- Currently, the mallein test, an allergic hypersensitivity test, is used for diagnosis of glanders. However, this test is time-consuming (taking up to 48 hours) and requires trained laboratory personnel to administer it.
- This research revolves around finding a quicker, simpler method of diagnosing glanders, particularly in remote areas where veterinary services may be lacking.
Methodology
- The study utilized the Rose Bengal test (RBT), a serological diagnostic test endorsed by the World Organization for Animal Health.
- The researchers compared the specificity and sensitivity of the RBT against the mallein test.
- The tests were administered on 70 naturally infected culture-positive horses, 3 equines sensitized by antigen injection, and 110 healthy equines.
Results
- The results showed no significant difference in the diagnostic accuracy of the two tests. Both the mallein and Rose Bengal tests yielded the same results when testing culture-positive equines.
- However, the Rose Bengal test was found to deliver results significantly faster than the mallein test.
Conclusion
- The researchers concluded that the Rose Bengal test is an efficient and reliable tool that could be used for the rapid diagnosis of glanders.
- Due to its simplicity and speed, the Rose Bengal test is recommended as a supplementary test for glanders diagnosis in field conditions.
- Unlike the mallein test, the Rose Bengal test can be administered without specialized equipment or highly trained personnel, making it more feasible in remote or resource-scarce settings.
Cite This Article
APA
Karimi A, Mosavari N.
(2019).
Development of Rose Bengal test against mallein test for rapid diagnosis of equine glanders.
Trop Anim Health Prod, 51(7), 1969-1974.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-01890-6 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
- Reference Laboratory of Bovine Tuberculosis, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran. nmosavari@gmail.com.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Burkholderia mallei / chemistry
- Burkholderia mallei / isolation & purification
- Glanders / diagnosis
- Horses
- Rose Bengal / chemistry
- Serologic Tests / veterinary
- Time Factors
References
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Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Sukmanadi M, Khairullah AR, Wardhani BWK, Mustofa I, Aliyah SH, Moses IB, Ahmad RZ, Khalisa AT, Pratama BP, Kusala MKJ, Kurniasih DAA, Akintunde AO, Fauziah I, Wibowo S, Furqoni AH, Fauzia KA, Melati I, Kurniawan M'. Glanders: Historical military use and potential bioterrorism concern. Open Vet J 2025 Sep;15(9):3912-3930.
- Abnaroodheleh F, Mosavari N, Pourbakhsh SA, Tadayon K, Jamshidian M. Identification of Burkholderia mallei Isolates with Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism. Arch Razi Inst 2023 Aug;78(4):1305-1312.
- Wang G, Glaser L, Scott NE, Fathy Mohamed Y, Ingram R, Laroucau K, Valvano MA. A glycoengineered antigen exploiting a conserved protein O-glycosylation pathway in the Burkholderia genus for detection of glanders infections. Virulence 2021 Dec;12(1):493-506.
- Erdemsurakh O, Ochirbat K, Gombosuren U, Tserendorj B, Purevdorj B, Vanaabaatar B, Aoshima K, Kobayashi A, Kimura T. Seroprevalence of equine glanders in horses in the central and eastern parts of Mongolia. J Vet Med Sci 2020 Sep 24;82(9):1247-1252.
- Adhikari N, Acharya KP, Wilson RT. The potential for an outbreak of glanders in Nepal. Trop Med Health 2019;47:57.
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