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Published on: October 15, 2013
Burkholderia pseudomallei Genotype Distribution in the Northern Territory, Australia
Stephanie N J Chapple1, Erin P Price1, Derek S Sarovich1
1Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia; Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Imperial College, London, United Kingdom; Department of Infectious Diseases and Northern Territory Medical Program, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
Abstract:
Melioidosis is a tropical disease of high mortality caused by the environmental bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei. We have collected clinical isolates from the highly endemic Northern Territory of Australia routinely since 1989, and animal and environmental B. pseudomallei isolates since 1991. Here we provide a complete record of all B. pseudomallei multilocus sequence types (STs) found in the Northern Territory to date, and distribution maps of the eight most common environmental STs. We observed surprisingly restricted geographic distributions of STs, which is contrary to previous reports suggesting widespread environmental dissemination of this bacterium. Our data suggest that B. pseudomallei from soil and water does not frequently disperse long distances following severe weather events or by migration of infected animals.
Insights
Melioidosis, a deadly tropical disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, shows surprisingly limited geographic distribution of its strains in Australia. This challenges previous ideas about the bacterium
Area of Science:
- * Environmental microbiology and infectious diseases.
- * Bacteriology and disease ecology.
Background:
- * Melioidosis is a severe tropical disease with high mortality, caused by the soil-dwelling bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.
- * The bacterium is endemic in the Northern Territory of Australia, with clinical, animal, and environmental isolates routinely collected since 1989 and 1991, respectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To document all Burkholderia pseudomallei multilocus sequence types (STs) identified in the Northern Territory to date.
- * To map the geographic distribution of the eight most common environmental STs.
- * To investigate the dispersal patterns of Burkholderia pseudomallei in the environment.
Main Methods:
- * Analysis of a comprehensive collection of clinical, animal, and environmental Burkholderia pseudomallei isolates.
- * Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to determine bacterial genetic profiles (STs).
- * Geographic mapping of STs, focusing on the eight most prevalent environmental types.
Main Results:
- * A complete record of all identified Burkholderia pseudomallei STs in the Northern Territory was compiled.
- * Distribution maps revealed unexpectedly restricted geographic ranges for common environmental STs.
- * Findings contradict previous assumptions of widespread environmental dissemination of the bacterium.
Conclusions:
- * Geographic distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei STs in the Northern Territory is more localized than previously thought.
- * The bacterium's environmental dispersal appears limited, with minimal long-distance spread following severe weather or animal migration.
- * This study provides crucial data for understanding melioidosis epidemiology and environmental reservoirs.
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