Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2025
Simplified Whole Body Plethysmography to Characterize Lung Function During Respiratory Melioidosis
Published on: February 24, 2023
Melioidosis molecular diagnostics: An update
Prachi Gangil1, Manash K Paul2,3, Prathyoosha B1
1Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
Abstract:
Melioidosis, a fatal tropical disease, presents a wide array of clinical manifestations, including abscesses, pneumonia, septic shock, bacteraemia, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and skin infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei), a gram-negative bacterium found in soil, as a Tier 1 select agent. Referred to as the "great mimicker," this organism can infect several organs imitating the symptoms of different illnesses. According to worldwide data, there are around 165,000 cases and 89,000 deaths annually. Current diagnostic procedures rely primarily on culturing B. pseudomallei, are slow and have low sensitivity, resulting in delayed treatment and higher fatality rates. This review examines the substantial difficulties related to diagnosing melioidosis in response to the urgent need for precise and prompt diagnosis. We have summarized the results of diagnostic kits that are currently sold in the market and assessed the market for melioidosis diagnostic kits.
Insights
Melioidosis diagnosis needs improvement. This review highlights challenges with current methods and assesses available diagnostic kits for the fatal tropical disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Diagnostics
Background:
- Melioidosis, a fatal tropical disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, presents diverse clinical symptoms, mimicking other illnesses.
- Burkholderia pseudomallei is a gram-negative bacterium found in soil, classified as a Tier 1 select agent by the CDC.
- Globally, melioidosis causes approximately 165,000 cases and 89,000 deaths annually.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the significant challenges in diagnosing melioidosis.
- To address the urgent need for precise and prompt diagnostic methods.
- To review and assess the current market for melioidosis diagnostic kits.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of diagnostic challenges in melioidosis.
- Summary of results from commercially available diagnostic kits.
- Market assessment of melioidosis diagnostic solutions.
Main Results:
- Current diagnostic methods, primarily based on culturing Burkholderia pseudomallei, are slow and have low sensitivity.
- Delayed diagnosis due to current methods leads to increased fatality rates.
- A review of existing diagnostic kits and market landscape was conducted.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for improved, rapid, and sensitive diagnostic tools for melioidosis.
- The limitations of current diagnostic approaches contribute to the high mortality rate of the disease.
- Further development and assessment of diagnostic kits are essential for effective melioidosis management.
