Glanders and Melioidosis
Abstract: Glanders is an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia mallei, a gram-negative aerobic nonmotile bacterium. Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a gram-negative aerobic, motile bacterium. The two bacteria are closely related, and both can cause disease in animals and humans. Historically, glanders was a common disease of horses, donkeys, and mules. Melioidosis was first described as a case series of 38 patients in Rangoon, Burma, by pathologist Alfred Whitmore in 1912.
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Publication Date: 2023-08-14 PubMed ID: 28846298PubMed Central: PMC2167219
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Summary
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The research article focuses on the study of the infectious diseases Glanders and Melioidosis, caused by the bacteria Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei respectively, and their impact on both animals and humans.
Introduction to Glanders and Melioidosis
- The paper introduces two major infectious diseases, Glanders and Melioidosis, caused by different species of bacteria known as Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei respectively.
- Glanders is characterized as a non-motile bacterium while Melioidosis is a motile bacterium. Both are classified as gram-negative and aerobic, meaning they do not retain the violet stain in Gram’s method and can survive in an oxygen-rich environment.
Historical Background of Glanders and Melioidosis
- The document discusses the historical significance of these diseases. Glanders, for instance, was once a prevalent disease among animals like horses, donkeys, and mules.
- Regarding Melioidosis, the article cites the first known description of this disease in 1912 by pathologist Alfred Whitmore, who documented a series of 38 patient cases in Rangoon, Burma.
Impact of Glanders and Melioidosis on Humans
- In addition to affecting animals, both Glanders and Melioidosis are underlined as diseases with potential to cause health problems in humans. This confirms the zoonotic nature of these diseases, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans.
Cite This Article
APA
Nguyen HN, Smith ME, Hayoun MA.
(2023).
Glanders and Melioidosis
.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- UC Davis Medical Center
- CBIRF
- Tristar Healthcare Network
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