Natural Burkholderia mallei infection in Dromedary, Bahrain.

The research article focuses on the identification of a Burkholderia mallei infection in dromedaries in Bahrain, suggesting a link between this strain and one that previously caused an outbreak of glanders in horses in Dubai.

Overview of the Research

• The study is centered around a natural infection observed in dromedaries (a type of camel), caused by the Burkholderia mallei bacteria. This bacterium is primarily responsible for glanders, a highly infectious and lethal disease found in equines such as horses, mules, and donkeys.
• The research was prompted by the detection of a Burkholderia mallei strain from a sick dromedary in Bahrain.

Genetic Analysis of the Burkholderia mallei Strain

• The team conducted a ‘Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis’ on the bacteria strain. This type of analysis is a molecular biology technique which enables researchers to differentiate strains of certain species of bacteria.
• The results of this analysis showed that the strain was closely related to Dubai 7, a strain that previously provoked a glanders outbreak in horses in the United Arab Emirates in 2004.

Significance of the Study

• This study provides substantial evidence for the natural infection of dromedaries with glanders. Previously, glanders was mainly associated with equines, but this research highlights that the bacterium can also infect dromedaries, showing a wider range of susceptible animals.
• The genetic similarity between the Bahrain dromedary strain and the Dubai 7 horse strain suggests potential common reservoirs or similar transmission paths for the bacterium, the understanding of which may assist in preventing future outbreaks.