Investigation of the Zoonotic Aspects of Glanders in Western Iran
Subject Areas : clinical veterinary science
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Keywords: Glanders, Zoonosis, Horse, Human, Iran,
Abstract :
Glanders is caused by the intracellular, Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia mallei. The primary hosts of the disease are equines such as horses, donkeys, and mules; however, there have been reports of infection in camelids, small ruminants, lions, and even humans. Currently, Iran is surrounded by countries endemic for the disease, including Pakistan, India, Iraq, the Gulf states, and others. Given the current disease situation in neighboring countries, a comprehensive investigation of the disease status in both the human and equine populations in western Iran was undertaken. In the present study, a total of 404 equines of both sexes (including 360 horses, 32 mules, and 12 donkeys) and 384 human subjects (337 males and 47 females) who had direct contact with equines were examined clinically and tested using three laboratory techniques: ELISA, culture, and PCR. Additionally, in equines showing clinical and specific signs of the disease, FNA testing and nasal swabbing were performed where possible. The results indicated that in the ELISA test, 8 equines tested positive and 2 were suspected cases. Further confirmatory testing (culture and PCR) on these samples not only validated the ELISA results but also revealed, at the molecular level, the presence of a new bacterial strain in one of the horse samples. Among the human samples, only four individuals (three males and one female), all without any clinical history of the disease, tested positive in both serological and molecular assays. The findings of this study suggest the potential emergence and spread of new strains of B. mallei among equine populations and horse handlers in Iran, calling for stricter surveillance and control measures.
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