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Veterinary record open2015; 2(2); e000129; doi: 10.1136/vetreco-2015-000129

Incidence of Burkholderia mallei infection among indigenous equines in India.

Abstract: Burkholderia mallei is the causative agent of glanders which is a highly contagious and fatal disease of equines. Considering the nature and severity of the disease in equines, and potential of transmission to human beings, glanders is recognised as a 'notifiable' disease in many countries. An increasing number of glanders outbreaks throughout the Asian continents, including India, have been noticed recently. In view of the recent re-emergence of the disease, the present study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of glanders among indigenous equines from different parts of India. Serum samples were analysed by complement fixation test (CFT) and ELISA for the detection of B mallei specific antibodies. A total of 7794 equines, which included 4720 horses, 1881 donkeys and 1193 mules were sampled from April 2011 to December 2014 from 10 states of India. Serologically, 36 equines (pony=7, mules=10, horses=19) were found to be positive for glanders by CFT and indirect-ELISA. The highest number of cases were detected in Uttar Pradesh (n=31) followed by Himachal Pradesh (n=4) and Chhattisgarh (n=1). Isolation of B mallei was attempted from nasal and abscess swabs collected from seropositive equines. Four isolates of B mallei were cultured from nasal swabs of two mules and two ponies. Identity of the isolates was confirmed by PCR and sequencing of fliP gene fragment. The study revealed circulation of B mallei in northern India and the need for continued surveillance to support the eradication.
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Publication Date: 2015-09-24 PubMed ID: 26457190PubMed Central: PMC4594314DOI: 10.1136/vetreco-2015-000129Google 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 research article reports on the prevalence of Burkholderia mallei infection, causing a fatal disease called glanders, among indigenous equines (horses, donkeys, mules) in India. The study examined sera samples from thousands of equines across 10 Indian states, detecting the disease in 36 animals and revealing a need for continued surveillance and eradication efforts.

Introduction

  • The study surrounds Burkholderia mallei, the bacterium responsible for causing glanders, a highly contagious and fatal disease affecting equines such as horses, donkeys and mules.
  • The importance of this study stems from the repercussions of the disease, not just on the health and survival of equines, but also considering the possibility of the disease spreading to humans.
  • Glanders has been noted as ‘notifiable’ in many countries based on its severity and the recent increase in outbreaks across Asian countries, including India, has prompted closer examination and preventative efforts.

Methods

  • From April 2011 to December 2014, 7794 equines, broken down into 4720 horses, 1881 donkeys and 1193 mules, were sampled from 10 different Indian states.
  • The prevalence of glanders was estimated by analysing serum samples using both a complement fixation test (CFT) and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) to detect the presence of specific B mallei antibodies.
  • To isolate B mallei, nasal and abscess swabs were collected from those equines that tested seropositive.

Results

  • Out of the total, 36 equines (made up of 7 ponies, 10 mules, and19 horses) were found positive for glanders by both CFT and indirect-ELISA.
  • The highest number of cases were discovered in Uttar Pradesh (31 cases), followed by Himachal Pradesh (4 cases) and Chhattisgarh (1 case).
  • Four instances of B mallei were obtained through culture from nasal swabs; two from mules, and two from ponies. PCR and sequencing of the fliP gene fragment was used to confirm the identities of the isolates.

Conclusion

  • The study’s findings revealed that there is an active circulation of B mallei in northern India, indicating a pressing need for ongoing surveillance and control efforts to counteract the spread of the disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Malik P, Singha H, Goyal SK, Khurana SK, Tripathi BN, Dutt A, Singh D, Sharma N, Jain S. (2015). Incidence of Burkholderia mallei infection among indigenous equines in India. Vet Rec Open, 2(2), e000129. https://doi.org/10.1136/vetreco-2015-000129

Publication

Veterinary record open
ISSN: 2052-6113
NlmUniqueID: 101653671
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 2
Issue: 2
Pages: e000129

Researcher Affiliations

Malik, Praveen
  • ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines , Sirsa Road, Hisar 125001, Haryana , India.
Singha, Harisankar
  • ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines , Sirsa Road, Hisar 125001, Haryana , India.
Goyal, Sachin K
  • ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines , Sirsa Road, Hisar 125001, Haryana , India.
Khurana, Sandip K
  • ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines , Sirsa Road, Hisar 125001, Haryana , India.
Tripathi, Badri Naryan
  • Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh , India.
Dutt, Abha
  • Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh , India.
Singh, Dabal
  • Badaun, Uttar Pradesh , India.
Sharma, Neeraj
  • Arki, Himachal Pradesh , India.
Jain, Sanjay
  • Raipur, Chhattisgarh , India.

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