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Trend and pattern of melioidosis seropositivity among suspected patients in Malaysia 2015 - 2019
F S Hadi1, S Ghazali2, N Ahmad1
1Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Melioidosis is a disease of public health importance associated with high case-fatality rates in animals and humans caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei ), a gram- negative bacterium that lives in tropical soil environments. This study determined the seropositivity for melioidosis among patients admitted to healthcare centres in Malaysia, from 2015 to 2019 and identified factors related to it. A total of 26,665 serum samples of suspected melioidosis patients from Malaysia hospitals were tested for IgM against B. pseudomallei. About 16.4% of total samples were seropositive and majority of them were 55 years old and above. However, younger people aged less than 15 years old were the most susceptible to the infection (AOR 3.04, p <0.001, 95% CI: 2.73, 3.39). Melioidosis infection was the highest in Sarawak (15.1%) while Perlis was the least exposed to the infection (0.9%). Further analyses showed that patients with chronic lung disease (adjusted OR: 4.03, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 2.77, 5.86) were more susceptible to melioidosis infection. In conclusion, although serology testing is not a gold standard test in diagnosing melioidosis, it has been used as a tool in treatment monitoring and disease surveillance among patients and at-risk community in the endemic hot-spots regions.
Insights
Melioidosis seropositivity was 16.4% in Malaysian patients. Younger individuals and those with chronic lung disease showed higher susceptibility to this serious Burkholderia pseudomallei infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Public Health Microbiology
Background:
- Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is a significant public health concern with high mortality in humans and animals.
- The bacterium thrives in tropical soil environments, posing a constant threat in endemic regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the seropositivity rate of melioidosis among patients in Malaysian healthcare centers between 2015 and 2019.
- To identify demographic and clinical factors associated with melioidosis seropositivity in Malaysia.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 26,665 serum samples from patients suspected of melioidosis in Malaysian hospitals.
- Testing for IgM antibodies against Burkholderia pseudomallei.
- Statistical analysis to identify risk factors, including age and pre-existing conditions.
Main Results:
- Overall seropositivity for melioidosis was 16.4%.
- Individuals aged under 15 years exhibited the highest susceptibility (AOR 3.04).
- Chronic lung disease significantly increased susceptibility (adjusted OR: 4.03).
- Sarawak reported the highest infection rates (15.1%), while Perlis had the lowest (0.9%).
Conclusions:
- Serological testing, while not a gold standard, is valuable for melioidosis surveillance and monitoring treatment.
- Identifying high-risk groups, such as the young and those with chronic lung disease, is crucial for targeted prevention.
- Understanding regional variations in seropositivity aids in focusing public health interventions in endemic hotspots.
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