Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 12, 2026

High-throughput Siderophore Screening from Environmental Samples: Plant Tissues, Bulk Soils, and Rhizosphere Soils
12:36

High-throughput Siderophore Screening from Environmental Samples: Plant Tissues, Bulk Soils, and Rhizosphere Soils

Published on: February 9, 2019

13.2K

DETECTION OF BURKHOLDERIA PSEUDOMALLEI FROM POST-FLOOD SOIL SAMPLES IN KELANTAN, MALAYSIA

Rafiza Shaharudin, Norazah Ahmad, Muhammad Amir Kamaluddin

    The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
    |April 6, 2018
    PubMed

    Insights

    Burkholderia pseudomallei, a cause of fatal melioidosis, was detected in soil samples after a major flood in Kelantan, Malaysia. This finding highlights the ongoing risk of melioidosis for flood victims in the region.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Environmental Health

    Background:

    • Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is a significant cause of fatal community-acquired bacteremia, particularly in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia.
    • Outbreaks of melioidosis are frequently associated with environmental events like floods and typhoons.
    • Burkholderia pseudomallei is a soil-dwelling bacterium, posing an environmental risk.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the presence of Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil samples following a major flood event.
    • To assess the environmental risk of melioidosis transmission to the community in Kelantan, Malaysia.

    Main Methods:

    • A cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2015 in Kelantan, Malaysia.
    • Eighty-nine soil samples were collected and cultured for Burkholderia pseudomallei using Ashdown agar.
    • Putative colonies were subjected to staining, biochemical testing, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for confirmation.

    Main Results:

    • Burkholderia pseudomallei was detected in 1% of the analyzed soil samples.
    • Despite the low detection rate, the presence of the bacterium confirmed environmental contamination post-flood.

    Conclusions:

    • The study indicates a persistent risk of melioidosis for flood-affected populations in Kelantan.
    • Increased awareness of melioidosis symptoms among the public and a high index of suspicion by healthcare providers are crucial.
    • Prompt screening and treatment of suspected cases are essential to prevent mortality.

    More Related Videos

    Sampling Soils in a Heterogeneous Research Plot07:11

    Sampling Soils in a Heterogeneous Research Plot

    Published on: January 7, 2019

    35.9K
    Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis08:44

    Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis

    Published on: May 10, 2020

    7.3K

    Related Concept Videos

    Responses to Drought and Flooding02:41

    Responses to Drought and Flooding

    Water plays a significant role in the life cycle of plants. However, insufficient or excess of water can be detrimental and pose a serious threat to plants.
    12.1K
    The Soil Ecosystem02:23

    The Soil Ecosystem

    Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components:
    25.0K
    Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment01:17

    Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment

    Flood risk assessment involves careful planning and analysis to ensure the safety of communities near water retention structures. Capacity contours are a vital tool in this process, as they illustrate the potential spread of water at specific levels in a given area. In the context of building a bund across a small valley, these contours play a critical role in evaluating the safety of nearby residential areas.In this example, the bund is intended to store stormwater in the valley. The engineers...
    334
    Post-traumatic Stress Disorder01:27

    Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

    Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
    Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
    A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
    590
    Sampling Methods: Sample Types01:18

    Sampling Methods: Sample Types

    Sampling materials are classified into three main types: solid, liquid, and gas.
    Solid samples include a variety of substances, such as sediments from water bodies, soil, metals, and biological tissues. Two standard methods for extracting sediments from water bodies are grab sampling and piston coring. Grab sampling involves using a device to collect a discrete sediment sample from the bottom of a water body with minimal disturbance. Grab samples do not always represent the entire area due to...
    3.3K
    Post-translational Translocation of Proteins to the RER01:27

    Post-translational Translocation of Proteins to the RER

    A sizable fraction of proteins destined for ER are first synthesized in the cell cytosol and then transported across the ER membrane–a process called post-translational translocation. Similar to cotranslationally translocated proteins, these proteins also use the Sec translocon complex to enter the ER lumen.
    Targeting proteins to the ER
    Hsp40 and Hsp70 chaperone molecules bind the translated proteins in the cytosol to prevent their folding. The chaperone binding helps to keep the signal...
    7.8K