[Glanders–a potential disease for biological warfare in humans and animals].

This research article discusses Glanders, a disease caused by the Burkholderia mallei bacteria that primarily affects donkeys, horses, and mules, and can also infect humans in four different forms. The study highlights the disease’s potential for use in biological warfare due to its effective aerosolized spread and lethality, despite its low contagious potential, and presents the only reported case in the western world since 1949.

Glanders Disease and its Forms

• The article explains that the bacteria Burkholderia mallei can cause a disease known as Glanders. This infection can either manifest as an under-the-skin condition called “farcy” or can spread around the body.
• In humans, the disease can take on four forms: localized, pulmonary, septicemia, and a chronic form.
• Acute infections are characterized by necrosis of the tracheobronchial tree and pustules on the skin. Other symptoms can include pneumonia if inhaled, or septic and abscess signs if it enters through the skin.

Geographical Spread and Potential for Biological Warfare

• Though not highly contagious, Glanders is endemic in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America.
• Due to the lethal nature of the disease and the feasibility of disseminating it through aerosols, B. mallei has been considered a viable candidate for biological warfare.
• Historically, Glanders has been purportedly used in warfare, notably during World War I and II, with infection spread among horses, civilians, and prisoners of war.
• Earlier, both USA and USSR showed interest in incorporating B. mallei into their biological warfare programs.

Treatment and Control Measures

• The treatment of Glanders is largely empirical, involving mono or polypharmacy including drugs like Ceftazidime, Sulfadiazine, Trimethoprim + Sulfamethoxazol, Gentamicin, and Imipenem.
• Aggressive control measures helped eliminate Glanders from western nations. Yet, rising apprehensions over biological warfare have led to renewed studies of B. mallei in select laboratories worldwide.
• The paper concludes with a review of Glanders as a disease and discusses a single case reported in the Western world since 1949.