[Glanders–an eradicable disease–or a threat?].

Glanders, a disease affecting horses and transmissible to humans, is no longer present in certain geographic areas. However, complete global eradication has not yet been achieved, with cases reported in various parts of the world. The disease is caused by a particular bacterium. Despite its rare occurrence, the disease maintains the interest of microbiologists due to its potential threat, with recent developments focusing on vaccine research and antibiotic therapy.

Overview of Glanders

• Glanders, also known as malleus, primarily affects equids (members of the horse family), but can also be transmitted to humans.
• While this disease doesn’t occur in some parts of the world anymore, it has not been completely eradicated worldwide.
• Recent cases have emerged in various countries, including India, Iraq, Mongolia, China, and South America.

Causes and continued Interest

• The disease is caused by a bacterium named Burkholderia mallei. This pathogen has been known under different names in the past, including Bacillus, Pfeiferella, Loefflerella, Malleomyces, Actinobacillus, or Pseudomonas mallei.
• Despite the rarity of the disease, it continues to be an area of research interest for microbiologists, suggesting that the disease is not just a historical medical event, but is still a present concern.

Occupational Infections

• Glanders has been known to infect laboratory personnel, with incidents recorded during World War II and in the following years.
• The most recent accident involving laboratory transmission of the disease reported in May 2000.

Current Research focus

• Current research related to Glanders is centered around two key areas: vaccine development and antibiotic therapy.
• The effectiveness of these therapeutic strategies is being tested on experimentally infected subjects.