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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2022; 11(6); doi: 10.3390/pathogens11060614

Sequencing-Based Genotyping of Pakistani Burkholderia mallei Strains: A Useful Way for Investigating Glanders Outbreaks.

Abstract: Burkholderia (B.) mallei is a host-adapted equine pathogen that causes glanders, a re-emerging zoonotic disease, which is endemic in Pakistan and other developing countries and seriously impacts the global equine movement. Due to globalization, the geographical restriction of diseases vanishes and the lack of awareness of and experience with eradicated diseases in industrialized countries also promotes the re-introduction of infections in these regions. Owing to the high equine population, the Pakistani province Punjab is a potential hotspot where several glanders outbreaks have been seen over last two decades. For determining the genomic diversity of B. mallei in this and other equine-populated prefectures, the genomes of 19 B. mallei strains isolated between 1999 and 2020 in different locations were sequenced and their genotypes were determined. Particularly, for genetically highly homogenous pathogens like B. mallei genotyping techniques require a high discriminatory power for enabling differentiation on the strain level. Thus, core-genome single nucleotide polymorphism (cgSNP) analysis was applied for distinguishing the highly similar strains. Furthermore, a whole-genome sequence-based core genome multi locus sequence typing (cgMLST) scheme, specific to B. mallei, was developed and additionally applied to the data. It was found that B. mallei genotypes in Pakistan persisted over time and space and genotype clusters preferred connection with a time point rather than the place of isolation, probably due to frequent equine movement, which promotes the spread of glanders. The cgMLST approach proved to work in accord with SNP typing and may help to investigate future glanders outbreaks.
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Publication Date: 2022-05-24 PubMed ID: 35745468PubMed Central: PMC9227068DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060614Google 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.

The research conducted a genomic study on Burkholderia mallei strains, a bacteria causing a re-emerging zoonotic disease called glanders, from Pakistan. To do so, it used genotyping techniques on samples collected over two decades. It found that the strains of this bacteria in Pakistan have persisted historically and geographically, and that the risk of glanders outbreaks is tied more closely to timing than location.

Understanding the Research Context

  • The research revolves around the bacterium Burkholderia mallei – the pathogen that causes glanders, a zoonotic disease which affects equines (e.g. horses) but can also infect humans. The bacterium has become a serious concern in Pakistan and other developing countries owing to its re-emerging nature and the substantial equine population, which promotes the spread of the disease.
  • Historically, globalization has lifted geographical boundaries, causing diseases to spread more easily across countries. This makes the study of such diseases vital to prevent reintroduction into previously unaffected or eradicated areas.

Methodology and Key Findings

  • The genomes of 19 different Burkholderia mallei strains, isolated between 1999 and 2020, were sequenced to determine their genotype. This helps to understand the genetic diversity of the strains within the region.
  • The researchers applied a specific technique known as core-genome single nucleotide polymorphism (cgSNP) analysis. This is particularly useful in differentiating highly similar strains of homogenous pathogens like Burkholderia mallei, as it offers high discriminatory power.
  • The team then developed and applied a whole-genome sequence-based core genome multi locus sequence typing (cgMLST) scheme specific to Burkholderia mallei. This provided additional differentiation of the collected strains.
  • The results suggested that the genotypes of Burkholderia mallei in Pakistan have persisted over time and space. This persistence indicates selection pressures may be in play, supporting survival and proliferation of certain genetic types versus others.
  • Interestingly, the study found the genetic clusters formed by the bacterium were more strongly associated with specific time points than with their place of isolation. This supports the concept that the frequent movement of equines, rather than location, largely promotes the spread of glanders.

Implications of the Study

  • The researchers highlighted the effectiveness of the cgMLST approach in conjunction with SNP typing for distinguishing Burkholderia mallei strains. Such techniques can provide timely and accurate genotyping of the bacterium, which is invaluable for tracking and investigating future outbreaks of glanders.
  • This understanding of strain diversity and spread may allow better control and prevention measures in regions with high equine population density and frequent equine movement.

Cite This Article

APA
Brangsch H, Saqib M, Sial AUR, Melzer F, Linde J, Elschner MC. (2022). Sequencing-Based Genotyping of Pakistani Burkholderia mallei Strains: A Useful Way for Investigating Glanders Outbreaks. Pathogens, 11(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11060614

Publication

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-0817
NlmUniqueID: 101596317
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 6

Researcher Affiliations

Brangsch, Hanka
  • Institute for Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Thuringia, Germany.
Saqib, Muhammad
  • Veterinary Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan.
Sial, Awais Ur Rehman
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan.
Melzer, Falk
  • Institute for Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Thuringia, Germany.
Linde, Jörg
  • Institute for Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Thuringia, Germany.
Elschner, Mandy Carolina
  • Institute for Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Thuringia, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
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