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Wu H, Wang X, Zhou X, Wu Z, Wang Y, Pan M, Lu B. Mycotic aneurysm secondary to melioidosis in China: A series of eight cases and a review of literature. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008525. [PMID: 32785225 PMCID: PMC7446808 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, endemic in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, and increasingly recognized in southern China, especially in Hainan Province. Mycotic aneurysm caused by B. pseudomallei is a rare but potentially severe illness with a high mortality rate. The clinical features of the mycotic aneurysm secondary to melioidosis have not been illustrated in China. Over a seven-year period (2013 to 2019), 159 patients with bacteremic melioidosis were retrospectively analyzed in Hainan province, China, of whom eight patients were confirmed to have mycotic aneurysm through the combination of imaging examination, pathologic examination and aneurysm tissue culture. We summarized these eight patients’ clinical characteristics, demographical features, treatments and outcomes. The susceptibilities to five commonly-used antibiotics for these eight B. pseudomallei isolates were also determined by E-test strips. Furthermore, the mycotic aneurysm cases secondary to melioidosis retrieved from the literature were also reviewed. Of the eight cases, six had abdominal mycotic aneurysms, one had a left iliac aneurysm, and the other one had an infectious mesenteric aneurysm. They were aged from 48 to 69 years old, and had the underlying risk factors of diabetes mellitus (2 patients), long-term smoking (4 patients), hypertension (6 patients), and soil and water contact history (6 patients), respectively. The positive arterial aneurysm imaging was observed in all patients via computed tomography (CT) or angiography. Eight B. pseudomallei isolates collected from both blood and mycotic aneurysm tissues remained 100% susceptible to imipenem and ceftazidime. After surgery combined with antibiotic administration, six patients survived, with a mortality rate of 25%. In melioidosis endemic areas, the mycotic aneurysm secondary to melioidosis might be underdiagnosed, and increased awareness of predisposing risk factors and clinical features of the mycotic aneurysm is required. Following a positive B. pseudomallei blood culture, the diagnosis of mycotic aneurysm should be under consideration in those with abdominal pain and/or hypertension. Imaging by CT or angiography is indispensable for its timely diagnosis and management. Burkholderia pseudomallei has the potential to cause mycotic aneurysm, an infrequently-occurred complication of melioidosis, with a high mortality rate despite appropriate antibiotic therapy and vascular surgery. The comprehensive clinical features of mycotic aneurysm due to B. pseudomallaei have not been documented in the People’s Republic of China and might be underrecognized. Therefore, we described eight patients with mycotic aneurysm from 159 bacteremic melioidosis patients in Hainan, China, over a seven-year period (between 2013 to 2019). We summarized their clinical characteristics, demographical features, treatments and outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report of mycotic aneurysm secondary to melioidosis in China. In summary, in melioidosis endemic areas, or for those returning from endemic areas, increased awareness of the risk factors is required for early diagnosis and management of mycotic aneurysm secondary to melioidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hainan General Hospital, Affiliated Hainan Hospital of Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
| | - Xuming Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hainan General Hospital, Affiliated Hainan Hospital of Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hainan General Hospital, Affiliated Hainan Hospital of Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
| | - Zhicheng Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
| | - Yanyan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Hainan General Hospital, Affiliated Hainan Hospital of Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
| | - Mengjie Pan
- Department of Radiology, Hainan General Hospital, Affiliated Hainan Hospital of Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
| | - Binghuai Lu
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital; National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Diseases, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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Hsueh PT, Huang WT, Hsueh HK, Chen YL, Chen YS. Transmission Modes of Melioidosis in Taiwan. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:tropicalmed3010026. [PMID: 30274423 PMCID: PMC6136622 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In Taiwan, melioidosis is an emerging disease that suddenly increased in the Er-Ren River Basin, beginning in 2005 and in the Zoynan region during 2008⁻2012, following a typhoon. Additionally, the disease sporadically increased in a geography-dependent manner in 2016. Subcutaneous inoculation, ingestion, and the inhalation of soil or water contaminated with Burkholderia pseudomallei are recognized as the transmission modes of melioidosis. The appearance of environmental B. pseudomallei positivity in northern, central and southern Taiwan is associated with disease prevalence (cases/population: 0.03/100,000 in the northern region, 0.29/100,000 in the central region and 1.98/100,000 in the southern region). However, melioidosis-clustered areas are confined to 5 to 7.5 km² hot spots containing high-density populations, but B. pseudomallei-contaminated environments are located >5 km northwestern of the periphery of these hot spots. The observation that the concentration of B. pseudomallei-specific DNA in aerosols was positively correlated with the incidence of melioidosis and the appearance of a northwesterly wind in a hot spot indicated that airborne transmission had occurred in Taiwan. Moreover, the isolation rate in the superficial layers of a contaminated crop field in the northwest was correlated with PCR positivity in aerosols collected from the southeast over a two-year period. The genotype ST58 was identified by multilocus sequence typing in human and aerosol isolates. The genotype ST1001 has increased in prevalence but has been sporadically distributed elsewhere since 2016. These data indicate the transmission modes and environmental foci that support the dissemination of melioidosis are changing in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Tan Hsueh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Tien Huang
- Department of Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan.
| | - Hsu-Kai Hsueh
- Department of Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Lei Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan.
| | - Yao-Shen Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan.
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Perumal Samy R, Stiles BG, Sethi G, Lim LHK. Melioidosis: Clinical impact and public health threat in the tropics. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0004738. [PMID: 28493905 PMCID: PMC5426594 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
This review briefly summarizes the geographical distribution and clinical impact of melioidosis, especially in the tropics. Burkholderia pseudomallei (a gram-negative bacterium) is the major causative agent for melioidosis, which is prevalent in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Northern Australia. Melioidosis patients are increasingly being recognized in other parts of the world. The bacteria are intrinsically resistant to many antimicrobial agents, but prolonged treatment, especially with combinations of antibiotics, may be effective. Despite therapy, the overall case fatality rate of septicemia in melioidosis remains significantly high. Intracellular survival of the bacteria within macrophages may progress to chronic infections, and about 10% of patients suffer relapses. In the coming decades, melioidosis will increasingly afflict travelers throughout many global regions. Clinicians managing travelers returning from the subtropics or tropics with severe pneumonia or septicemia should consider acute melioidosis as a differential diagnosis. Patients with open skin wounds, diabetes, or chronic renal disease are at higher risk for melioidosis and should avoid direct contact with soil and standing water in endemic regions. Furthermore, there are fears that B. pseudomallei may be used as a biological weapon. Technological advancements in molecular diagnostics and antibiotic therapy are improving the disease outcomes in endemic areas throughout Asia. Research and development efforts on vaccine candidates against melioidosis are ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramar Perumal Samy
- Department of Physiology, NUS Immunology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System (NUHS), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bradley G. Stiles
- Integrated Toxicology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUHS, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lina H. K. Lim
- Department of Physiology, NUS Immunology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System (NUHS), National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Wang H, Chen YL, Teng SH, Xu ZP, Xu YC, Hsueh PR. Evaluation of the Bruker Biotyper Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry System for Identification of Clinical and Environmental Isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:415. [PMID: 27092108 PMCID: PMC4824763 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei is not represented in the current version of Bruker Biotyper matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system. A total of 66 isolates of B. pseudomallei, including 30 clinical isolates collected from National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH, n = 27) and Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH, n = 3), and 36 isolates of genetically confirmed strains, including 13 from clinical samples and 23 from environmental samples, collected from southern Taiwan were included in this study. All these isolates were identified by partial 16S rDNA gene sequencing analysis and the Bruker Biotyper MALDI-TOF MS system. Among the 30 isolates initially identified as B. pseudomallei by conventional identification methods, one was identified as B. cepacia complex (NTUH) and three were identified as B. putida (PUMCH) by partial 16S rDNA gene sequencing analysis and Bruker Biotyper MALDI-TOF MS system. The Bruker Biotyper MALDI-TOF MS system misidentified 62 genetically confirmed B. pseudomallei isolates as B. thailandensis or Burkholderia species (score values, 1.803–2.063) when the currently available database (DB 5627) was used. However, using a newly created MALDI-TOF MS database (including B. pseudomallei NTUH-3 strain), all isolates were correctly identified as B. pseudomallei (score values >2.000, 100%). An additional 60 isolates of genetically confirmed B. cepacia complex and B. putida were also evaluated by the Bruker Biotyper MALDI-TOF MS system using the newly created database and none of these isolates were identified as B. pseudomallei. MALDI-TOF MS is a versatile and robust tool for the rapid identification of B. pseudomallei using the enhanced database.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Lei Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung Normal University Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hua Teng
- Department of Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Zhi-Peng Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Chun Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Po-Ren Hsueh
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine Taipei, Taiwan
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Nasner-Posso KM, Cruz-Calderón S, Montúfar-Andrade FE, Dance DAB, Rodriguez-Morales AJ. Human melioidosis reported by ProMED. Int J Infect Dis 2015; 35:103-6. [PMID: 25975651 PMCID: PMC4508390 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 05/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
ProMED would be used to assess the reliability of the data of emerging infectious diseases, such as melioidosis. The study evaluated the effectiveness of ProMED as a source of epidemiological data by focusing on melioidosis. This work identified 4630 cases of melioidosis with an overall case fatality rate of 11%, mainly reported from Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Although certain areas need to be improved, ProMED provided good information about melioidosis.
Objective There are limited sources describing the global burden of emerging diseases. A review of human melioidosis reported by ProMED was performed and the reliability of the data retrieved assessed in comparison to published reports. The effectiveness of ProMED was evaluated as a source of epidemiological data by focusing on melioidosis. Methods Using the keyword ‘melioidosis’ in the ProMED search engine, all of the information from the reports and collected data was reviewed using a structured form, including the year, country, gender, occupation, number of infected individuals, and number of fatal cases. Results One hundred and twenty-four entries reported between January 1995 and October 2014 were identified. A total of 4630 cases were reported, with death reported in 505 cases, suggesting a misleadingly low overall case fatality rate (CFR) of 11%. Of 20 cases for which the gender was reported, 12 (60%) were male. Most of the cases were reported from Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia, with sporadic reports from other countries. Conclusions Internet-based reporting systems such as ProMED are useful to gather information and synthesize knowledge on emerging infections. Although certain areas need to be improved, ProMED provided good information about melioidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherinn Melissa Nasner-Posso
- Public Health and Infection Research Group and Incubator, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
| | - Stefania Cruz-Calderón
- Public Health and Infection Research Group and Incubator, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
| | - Franco E Montúfar-Andrade
- Infectious Disease Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - David A B Dance
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alfonso J Rodriguez-Morales
- Public Health and Infection Research Group and Incubator, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia; Working Group on Zoonoses, International Society for Chemotherapy, Aberdeen, UK; Committee on Zoonoses and Haemorrhagic Fevers, Asociación Colombiana de Infectología, Bogotá, DC, Colombia.
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Evaluation of aromatic plants and compounds used to fight multidrug resistant infections. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2013; 2013:525613. [PMID: 24223059 PMCID: PMC3816052 DOI: 10.1155/2013/525613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Traditional medicine plays a vital role for primary health care in India, where it is widely practiced to treat various ailments. Among those obtained from the healers, 78 medicinal plants were scientifically evaluated for antibacterial activity. Methanol extract of plants (100 μg of residue) was tested against the multidrug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Forty-seven plants showed strong activity against Burkholderia pseudomallei (strain TES and KHW) and Staphylococcus aureus, of which Tragia involucrata L., Citrus acida Roxb. Hook.f., and Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa ex Roxb. showed powerful inhibition of bacteria. Eighteen plants displayed only a moderate effect, while six plants failed to provide any evidence of inhibition against the tested bacteria. Purified compounds showed higher antimicrobial activity than crude extracts. The compounds showed less toxic effect to the human skin fibroblasts (HEPK) cells than their corresponding aromatic fractions. Phytochemical screening indicates that the presence of various secondary metabolites may be responsible for this activity. Most of the plant extracts contained high levels of phenolic or polyphenolic compounds and exhibited activity against MDR pathogens. In conclusion, plants are promising agents that deserve further exploration. Lead molecules available from such extracts may serve as potential antimicrobial agents for future drug development to combat diseases caused by the MDR bacterial strains as reported in this study.
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Tsai HY, Liao CH, Huang YT, Lee PI, Hsueh PR. Cronobacter infections not from infant formula, Taiwan. Emerg Infect Dis 2013; 19:167-9. [PMID: 23260041 PMCID: PMC3557994 DOI: 10.3201/eid1901.120774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
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Distribution of melioidosis cases and viable Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil: evidence for emerging melioidosis in Taiwan. J Clin Microbiol 2010; 48:1432-4. [PMID: 20147639 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01720-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A survey for the prevalence if Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil in Taiwan found that its incidence is comparable to that in other regions of the world where melioidosis is endemic. The presence of identical genetic patterns among the clinical and environmental isolates evaluated suggested a link between the pathogens present in contaminated soil and the emergence of indigenous melioidosis.
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Shih HI, Chuang YC, Cheung BMH, Yan JJ, Chang CM, Chang K, Lee NY, Lee HC, Wu CJ, Chen PL, Lee CC, Wang LR, Ko NY, Ko WC. Sporadic and outbreak cases of melioidosis in southern Taiwan: clinical features and antimicrobial susceptibility. Infection 2008; 37:9-15. [PMID: 18854938 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-008-7324-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2007] [Accepted: 04/10/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melioidosis has been well known to be endemic in Thailand and Northern Australia, and was reported sporadically in Taiwan before 2005. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 58 patients with melioidosis in southern Taiwan from 2000 to 2005, including 40 clustered and 18 sporadic cases, for clinical characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility. RESULTS Fifty-one (88%) cases were found during the rainy season, and there was a significant correlation between the average monthly rainfalls and the case number (r = 0.37; p = 0.001). Diabetes mellitus was the most common underlying disease (35 cases, 60%). The majority (52 cases, 90%) had never traveled abroad before illness, indicating indigenous acquisition of Burkholderia pseudomallei. In comparison, clustered cases were older, less often had underlying diabetes mellitus and had a shorter duration of clinical symptoms before admission than sporadic cases. Acute form of melioidosis predominated, and shock at admission was independently associated with a grave prognosis. Overall, 22% of 58 patients died in hospitals. Ceftazidime, imipenem, meropenem, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, co-trimoxazole, and doxycycline, as previously recommended, were the potentially therapeutic choices. The role of piperacillin/ tazobactam for melioidosis remains undefined. CONCLUSIONS Melioidosis can occur sporadically or in a cluster in diabetic patients during rainy seasons in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-I Shih
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Dou-Liou Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
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Ko WC, Cheung BMH, Tang HJ, Shih HI, Lau YJ, Wang LR, Chuang YC. Melioidosis outbreak after typhoon, southern Taiwan. Emerg Infect Dis 2007; 13:896-8. [PMID: 17553230 PMCID: PMC2792857 DOI: 10.3201/eid1306.060646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
From July through September 2005, shortly after a typhoon, 40 cases of Burkholderia pseudomallei infection (melioidosis) were identified in southern Taiwan. Two genotypes that had been present in 2000 were identified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Such a case cluster confirms that melioidosis is endemic to Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Chien Ko
- National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | | | - Hung-Jen Tang
- Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Hsin-I Shih
- National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yeu-Jun Lau
- Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Li-Rong Wang
- National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Currie BJ, Gal D, Mayo M, Ward L, Godoy D, Spratt BG, LiPuma JJ. Using BOX-PCR to exclude a clonal outbreak of melioidosis. BMC Infect Dis 2007; 7:68. [PMID: 17603903 PMCID: PMC1925088 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-7-68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2007] [Accepted: 06/30/2007] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although melioidosis in endemic regions is usually caused by a diverse range of Burkholderia pseudomallei strains, clonal outbreaks from contaminated potable water have been described. Furthermore B. pseudomallei is classified as a CDC Group B bioterrorism agent. Ribotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) have been used to identify genetically related B. pseudomallei isolates, but they are time consuming and technically challenging for many laboratories. METHODS We have adapted repetitive sequence typing using a BOX A1R primer for typing B. pseudomallei and compared BOX-PCR fingerprinting results on a wide range of well-characterized B. pseudomallei isolates with MLST and PFGE performed on the same isolates. RESULTS BOX-PCR typing compared favourably with MLST and PFGE performed on the same isolates, both discriminating between the majority of multilocus sequence types and showing relatedness between epidemiologically linked isolates from various outbreak clusters. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that BOX-PCR can be used to exclude a clonal outbreak of melioidosis within 10 hours of receiving the bacterial strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart J Currie
- Northern Territory Clinical School, Flinders University, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Daniel Gal
- Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Mark Mayo
- Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Linda Ward
- Northern Territory Clinical School, Flinders University, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Daniel Godoy
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Brian G Spratt
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Hospital, London, UK
| | - John J LiPuma
- Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Su HP, Yang HW, Chen YL, Ferng TL, Chou YL, Chung TC, Chen CH, Chiang CS, Kuan MM, Lin HH, Chen YS. Prevalence of melioidosis in the Er-Ren River Basin, Taiwan: implications for transmission. J Clin Microbiol 2007; 45:2599-603. [PMID: 17596372 PMCID: PMC1951232 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00228-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
An increase in melioidosis cases compared to other areas in Taiwan was observed in the Er-Ren River Basin, southwestern Taiwan, from November 2001 to August 2006. The objective of this study was to determine the association between the level of exposure to Burkholderia pseudomallei and the incidence rate of melioidosis and to survey the transmission modes of B. pseudomallei in the Er-Ren River Basin. The serosurveillance of melioidosis gave seropositivity rates of 36.6%, 21.6%, and 10.9%, respectively, for residents in regions A, B, and C within the Er-Ren Basin area. Culture and PCR-based detection of B. pseudomallei from soil demonstrated that the geographical distribution of this bacterium was confined to a particular site in region B. The distribution of seropositive titers was significantly associated with the incidence rate of melioidosis (120, 68, or 36 incidence cases per 100,000 population in region A, B, or C in 2005), whereas it did not correlate with the geographical distribution of B. pseudomallei within the soil. A survey of transmission modes showed that residents with seropositivity were linked to factors such as having confronted flooding and having walked barefoot on soil, which are potential risk factors associated with exposure to B. pseudomallei. Our findings indicated that the Er-Ren River Basin in Taiwan has the potential to become a high-prevalence area for melioidosis. This is the first report that documents a high prevalence of melioidosis in an area north of latitude 20 degrees N.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsun-Pi Su
- Centers for Disease Control, Department of Health Taiwan/Institute of Veterinary Microbiology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Rodrigues F, Sarkar-Tyson M, Harding SV, Sim SH, Chua HH, Lin CH, Han X, Karuturi RKM, Sung K, Yu K, Chen W, Atkins TP, Titball RW, Tan P. Global map of growth-regulated gene expression in Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis. J Bacteriol 2006; 188:8178-88. [PMID: 16997946 PMCID: PMC1698202 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01006-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Many microbial pathogens express specific virulence traits at distinct growth phases. To understand the molecular pathways linking bacterial growth to pathogenicity, we have characterized the growth transcriptome of Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis. Using a fine-scale sampling approach, we found approximately 17% of all B. pseudomallei genes displaying regulated expression during growth in rich medium, occurring as broad waves of functionally coherent gene expression tightly associated with distinct growth phases and transition points. We observed regulation of virulence genes across all growth phases and identified serC as a potentially new virulence factor by virtue of its coexpression with other early-phase virulence genes. serC-disrupted B. pseudomallei strains were serine auxotrophs and in mouse infection assays exhibited a dramatic attenuation of virulence compared to wild-type B. pseudomallei. Immunization of mice with serC-disrupted B. pseudomallei also conferred protection against subsequent challenges with different wild-type B. pseudomallei strains. At a genomic level, early-phase genes were preferentially localized on chromosome 1, while stationary-phase genes were significantly biased towards chromosome 2. We detected a significant level of chromosomally clustered gene expression, allowing us to predict approximately 100 potential operons in the B. pseudomallei genome. We computationally and experimentally validated these operons by showing that genes in these regions are preferentially transcribed in the same 5'-->3' direction, possess significantly shorter intergenic lengths than the overall genome, and are expressed as a common mRNA transcript. The availability of this transcriptome map provides an important resource for understanding the transcriptional architecture of B. pseudomallei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Rodrigues
- Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, no. 02-01, Genome, Singapore 138672, Republic of Singapore
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Perumal Samy R, Pachiappan A, Gopalakrishnakone P, Thwin MM, Hian YE, Chow VTK, Bow H, Weng JT. In vitro antimicrobial activity of natural toxins and animal venoms tested against Burkholderia pseudomallei. BMC Infect Dis 2006; 6:100. [PMID: 16784542 PMCID: PMC1569838 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-6-100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2006] [Accepted: 06/20/2006] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Burkholderia pseudomallei are the causative agent of melioidosis. Increasing resistance of the disease to antibiotics is a severe problem in treatment regime and has led to intensification of the search for new drugs. Antimicrobial peptides are the most ubiquitous in nature as part of the innate immune system and host defense mechanism. Methods Here, we investigated a group of venoms (snakes, scorpions and honey bee venoms) for antimicrobial properties against two strains of Gram-negative bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei by using disc-diffusion assay for in vitro susceptibility testing. The antibacterial activities of the venoms were compared with that of the isolated L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2s) enzymes. MICs were determined using broth dilution method. Bacterial growth was assessed by measurement of optical density at the lowest dilutions (MIC 0.25 mg/ml). The cell viability was measured using tetrazolium salts (XTT) based cytotoxic assay. Results The studied venoms showed high antimicrobial activity. The venoms of C. adamanteus, Daboia russelli russelli, A. halys, P. australis, B. candidus and P. guttata were equally as effective as Chloramphenicol and Ceftazidime (30 μg/disc). Among those tested, phospholipase A2 enzymes (crotoxin B and daboiatoxin) showed the most potent antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (TES) bacteria. Naturally occurring venom peptides and phospholipase A2 proved to possess highly potent antimicrobial activity against Burkholderia pseudomallei. The XTT-assay results showed that the cell survival decreased with increasing concentrations (0.05–10 mg/mL) of Crotalus adamanteus venom, with no effect on the cell viability evident at 0.5 mg/mL. Conclusion This antibacterial profile of snake venoms reported herein will be useful in the search for potential antibacterial agents against drug resistant microorganisms like B. pseudomallei.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Perumal Samy
- Venom and Toxin Research Programme, Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore - 117597
| | - A Pachiappan
- Venom and Toxin Research Programme, Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore - 117597
| | - P Gopalakrishnakone
- Venom and Toxin Research Programme, Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore - 117597
| | - Maung M Thwin
- Venom and Toxin Research Programme, Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore - 117597
| | - Yap E Hian
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore - 117597
| | - Vincent TK Chow
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore - 117597
| | - Ho Bow
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore - 117597
| | - Joseph T Weng
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore - 117597
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Lu PL, Tseng SH. Fatal septicemic melioidosis in a young military person possibly co-infected with Leptospira interrogans and Orientia tsutsugamushi. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2005; 21:173-8. [PMID: 15909673 PMCID: PMC7128880 DOI: 10.1016/s1607-551x(09)70297-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Concurrent melioidosis, leptospirosis, and scrub typhus after rural activities is rarely reported. A 19-year-old previously healthy man had fever onset after 2 weeks of military training. Pneumonia became evident on the fifth day of fever under intravenous penicillin and oral minocycline therapy. Acute respiratory failure developed the next day with shock and acute renal and liver function deterioration, which resulted in death. Blood cultures on the third and fifth days grew Burkholderia pseudomallei. Serology revealed leptospirosis and scrub typhus. The emergence of melioidosis in Taiwan and this death without antibiotic treatment for melioidosis alert us that B. pseudomallei should be included as a possible pathogen of pneumonia and sepsis, especially after rural activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Liang Lu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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Cheng AC, Fisher DA, Anstey NM, Stephens DP, Jacups SP, Currie BJ. Outcomes of patients with melioidosis treated with meropenem. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2004; 48:1763-5. [PMID: 15105132 PMCID: PMC400582 DOI: 10.1128/aac.48.5.1763-1765.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Melioidosis, an infection due to Burkholderia pseudomallei, is endemic in southeast Asia and northern Australia. We reviewed our experience with meropenem in the treatment of severe melioidosis in 63 patients over a 6-year period. Outcomes were similar to those of ceftazidime-treated patients (n = 153) despite a deliberate selection bias to more-unwell patients receiving meropenem. The mortality among meropenem-treated patients was 19%. One patient had a possible drug fever associated with the use of meropenem. We conclude that meropenem (1 g or 25 mg/kg every 8 h intravenously for >/=14 days) is an alternative to ceftazidime and imipenem in the treatment of melioidosis. The use of meropenem may be associated with improved outcomes in patients with severe sepsis associated with melioidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen C Cheng
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina NT 0811, Northern Territory, Darwin, Australia
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18
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Abstract
In a 12-year prospective study of 318 culture-confirmed cases of melioidosis from the Top End of the Northern Territory of Australia, rainfall data for individual patient locations were correlated with patient risk factors, clinical parameters, and outcomes. Median rainfall in the 14 days before admission was highest for those dying with melioidosis (211 mm), in comparison to 110 mm for those surviving (p = 0.0002). Median 14-day rainfall was also significantly higher for those admitted with pneumonia. On univariate analysis, a prior 14-day rainfall of ≥125 mm was significantly correlated with pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] 1.70 [confidence interval [CI] 1.09 to 2.65]), bacteremia (OR 1.93 [CI 1.24 to 3.02]), septic shock (OR 1.94 [CI 1.14 to 3.29]), and death (OR 2.50 [CI 1.36 to 4.57]). On multivariate analysis, rainfall in the 14 days before admission was an independent risk factor for pneumonia (p = 0.023), bacteremic pneumonia (p = 0.001), septic shock (p = 0.005), and death (p < 0.0001). Heavy monsoonal rains and winds may cause a shift towards inhalation of Burkholderia pseudomallei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart J Currie
- Menzies School of Health Research and Flinders University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
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Wang YS, Wong CH, Kurup A. Cutaneous melioidosis and necrotizing fasciitis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. Emerg Infect Dis 2004; 9:1484-5. [PMID: 14725266 PMCID: PMC3035558 DOI: 10.3201/eid0911.030370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In areas where melioidosis is endemic, stress on the healthcare system is substantial. Because clinical manifestations are protean, the illness is difficult to diagnose, and cutaneous Burkholderia pseudomallei infections can progress to necrotizing fasciitis. While it is an uncommon complication of cutaneous melioidosis, necrotizing fasciitis is potentially fatal and requires successful management, including early diagnosis, appropriate antibiotics selection, and operative débridement.
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Chen YS, Chen SC, Kao CM, Chen YL. Effects of soil pH, temperature and water content on the growth of Burkholderia pseudomallei. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2003; 48:253-6. [PMID: 12800512 DOI: 10.1007/bf02930965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Optimum conditions were determined for the growth of Burkholderia pseudomallei in natural soils or waters. It grows better in paddy soil, crop-covered and fallow field than in fresh and salty water. Although the optimal temperature and pH for the growth were 37 or 42 degrees C, and 6.5 or 7.5 in an environmental-mimicking soil medium, this bacterium can still grow at 4 degrees C, which was suggested to be related with the occurrence of melioidosis in some cold areas. In soil media with water content < 15. B. pseudomallei did not grow until 60 d of incubation, suggesting that water contents of soils in which it dwelled would be one important factor in determining the growth rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y S Chen
- Section of Infectious Disease, Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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