Current status of glanders in Brazil: recent advances and challenges

Glanders is an infectious disease that causes serious damage to the equine production chain in countries where it occurs endemically and poses a risk to public health. This study aimed to conduct an integrative review of the advances in the knowledge of glanders in Brazil over the last three decades since its re-emergence. Documentary research was conducted for the period between the years 2000 and 2022. SCOPUS and PUBMED databases were used to search for scientific articles, dissertations, and thesis, in addition to the Brazilian Digital Library of Thesis and Dissertations (BDTD). A total of 41 documents were retrieved, including 12 dissertations, five theses, and 24 scientific articles. The Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE) group provided a noteworthy amount of material on this topic (25 documents, four theses, three dissertations, and 18 scientific articles). During this period, ten dissertations, one thesis, and six scientific articles published by other groups in other states of the Federation were also identified. It was concluded that there was a significant number of scientific publications with relevant data on the clinical, epidemiological, pathological, microbiological, serological, and molecular characteristics of glanders disease in Brazil. Additionally, training of human resources regarding this disease led to an increase in the nucleation of research groups, especially in the northeast region of Brazil. Despite significant advances, new research groups and specific funding are still needed for the development of more accurate diagnostic methods, immunizing production, training of veterinarians to recognize the disease, and more robust programs to control and eradicate the disease in Brazil.