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BMC veterinary research2012; 8; 214; doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-214

Effectiveness of an antimicrobial treatment scheme in a confined glanders outbreak.

Abstract: Glanders is a contagious and fatal zoonotic disease of solipeds caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia (B.) mallei. Although regulations call for culling of diseased animals, certain situations e.g. wild life conservation, highly valuable breeding stock, could benefit from effective treatment schemes and post-exposure prophylaxis. Results: Twenty three culture positive glanderous horses were successfully treated during a confined outbreak by applying a treatment protocol of 12 weeks duration based on the parenteral administration of enrofloxacin and trimethoprim plus sulfadiazine, followed by the oral administration of doxycycline. Induction of immunosupression in six randomly chosen horses after completion of treatment did not lead to recrudescence of disease. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that long term treatment of glanderous horses with a combination of various antibiotics seems to eliminate the agent from the organism. However, more studies are needed to test the effectiveness of this treatment regime on B. mallei strains from different endemic regions. Due to its cost and duration, this treatment can only be an option in certain situations and should not replace the current "testing and culling" policy, in conjunction with adequate compensation to prevent spreading of disease.
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Publication Date: 2012-11-07 PubMed ID: 23134717PubMed Central: PMC3526512DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-214Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study explores the effectiveness of an antibiotic treatment plan to combat glanders, a contagious and fatal disease in horses caused by the bacteria Burkholderia mallei. The researchers found that a twelve-week regimen, involving parenteral administration of enrofloxacin and trimethoprim plus sulfadiazine, succeeded in treating the disease.

Research Context and Purpose

  • Glanders is a highly contagious and fatal disease that affects solipeds (horses, mules, and donkeys), and is caused by the Burkholderia mallei bacteria.
  • Although most common regulations require the culling (killing) of infected animals, situations such as wildlife conservation and the preservation of valuable breeding stock might benefit from effective treatment plans and prophylaxis (preventive treatment) after exposure to the disease.
  • The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of an antimicrobial treatment scheme in controlling a confined outbreak of glanders.

Research Method and Results

  • Twenty-three horses that tested positive for glanders were treated during a confined outbreak using a twelve-week treatment protocol.
  • The treatment involved the parenteral (non-oral) administration of enrofloxacin and trimethoprim plus sulfadiazine, followed by the oral administration of doxycycline.
  • After completing the treatment, six horses were randomly chosen for induced immunosuppression to test if the disease would recur. The disease did not recrudesce (return) in these horses.
  • As a result, it was concluded that this long-term treatment plan involving a combination of various antibiotics appears to eliminate the B. mallei bacteria from the horses.

Conclusions and Further Research

  • The researchers suggest that more studies are needed to test the effectiveness of this treatment regime on B. mallei strains from different endemic regions.
  • Albeit effective, due to the high cost and lengthy duration of the treatment, it is only viable in specific situations and should not replace the existing “testing and culling” policy, which also includes adequate compensation to prevent the spreading of glanders.
  • Overall, this study provides a significant contribution to the development of potential treatment plans for glanders, especially in situations where culling may not be the best or only option.

Cite This Article

APA
Saqib M, Muhammad G, Naureen A, Hussain MH, Asi MN, Mansoor MK, Toufeer M, Khan I, Neubauer H, Sprague LD. (2012). Effectiveness of an antimicrobial treatment scheme in a confined glanders outbreak. BMC Vet Res, 8, 214. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-8-214

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 214

Researcher Affiliations

Saqib, Muhammad
  • Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040 Pakistan.
Muhammad, Ghulam
    Naureen, Abeera
      Hussain, Muhammad H
        Asi, M Nadeem
          Mansoor, M Khalid
            Toufeer, Mehdi
              Khan, Iahtasham
                Neubauer, Heinrich
                  Sprague, Lisa D

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / pharmacology
                    • Animals
                    • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
                    • Anti-Bacterial Agents / classification
                    • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
                    • Burkholderia mallei / drug effects
                    • Burkholderia mallei / isolation & purification
                    • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
                    • Female
                    • Glanders / drug therapy
                    • Glanders / epidemiology
                    • Glanders / microbiology
                    • Glanders / pathology
                    • Horses
                    • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
                    • Male
                    • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
                    • Pakistan / epidemiology

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                    Citations

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