Situation of Glanders and isolation and identification of Burkhulderiamallei from suspect horses in Iran in last year

Background and Aim : Glanders, is a highly contagious and fatal re-emerging zoonotic diseasethat is caused by the host-adapted equine pathogen Burkholderia mallei. The long-lastingassumption on geographical restriction of Glanders has been cracked due to globalization. Besides,in the industrialized world the poor experience and lowered awareness of involved professionalsagainst the longley-eradicated glanders have resulted in re-introduction of the disease. Iran, in theheart of the Middle-East, remains a stronghold for glanders which is enzootic in the country similarto its flanking neighbours. A rising trend in the disease outbreak has been noted in recent yearsthat might be a reflection of increasing potential hotspots. The molecular genotyping worksconducted on limited B. mallei isolates collected in the last ۱۰ years in Iran are surprisingly not insupport of a homogenic population of the pathogen. Whether this observation indicates aheterogenic indigenous population of M. bovis accommodating clones and sub-clones being activein the region from the past or we are watching exotic strain coming to settle, we will not knowunless more comprehensive molecular epidemiology researches have been completed. This workwas mainly conducted to collect more B.mallei isolates.Methods : Field and laboratory follow ups were conducted on equids that proved positive in theroutine IVO-operated CF tests. If possible lower eyelid malleination was also tested. In animalsdestined to euthanize, postmortem specimens from suspected internal organs and wounds, and inCF negative animals and swabs were taken for bacterial culture and investigations. At laboratoryspecific bacterial culture media both liquid and solid were employed to improve pathogen recoveryrate from the specimens.Results : These efforts lead to a successful isolation of the pathogen as four isolates were recoveredfrom glanders-suspected horses in Alborz, Kermanshah, Tehran and Kordestan provinces.Biochemical and molecular assays confirmed identity of the isolates as B. mallei. Furthergenotyping work is still ongoing to characterize the strains.Conclusion : While CF test delivers conclusive results, it is an expertise and resource-demandingtest that might not be available in all laboratory settings. Given this fact, application ofcomplementary tests including malleination and bacterial culture will help with accuracy ofdisease diagnosis.