Burkholderia mallei

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Which of the following best describes the genus Burkholderia?

Gram-positive, anaerobic cocci
Gram-negative, aerobic bacilli (correct)
Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic bacilli
Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacteria

What Burkholderia species is known to be pathogenic to animals?

B. Mallei and B. Psueomallei

Where is Burkholderia commonly found in the environment?

Only in soil and plants
Exclusively in human and animal hosts
In water, soil, plants, fruits, and vegetables (correct)
In dry desert environments only

What is a key characteristic of Burkholderia spp.?

They are opportunistic pathogens of animals, humans, and plants (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of environment does Burkholderia spp. prefer?

Aqueous environments (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a distinguishing characteristic of Burkholderia mallei?

Non-motile and obligate pathogen (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important virulence factor of Burkholderia mallei?

Carbohydrate capsule (C) Signup and view all the answers

Burkholderia mallei is the causative agent of which diseases?

Glanders and farcy Signup and view all the answers

What animals are the primary hosts and reservoirs for Burkholderia mallei?

Horses, mules and donkeys Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is TRUE about Burkholderia mallei pathogenesis?

The bacteria spreads via the lymphatics, forming nodular lesions en route to lymph nodes and bloodstream (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key pathological feature of Burkholderia mallei infection?

Pyogranulomas that may be localized or systemic (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does Burkholderia mallei persist within the host?

By producing endospores that resist immune clearance (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Burkholderia mallei strain variations is correct?

Some strains show a predominance of suppurative lesions, while others cause granulomatous lesions (B) Signup and view all the answers

The pus in glanders/farcy is not deemed contagious

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

The disease (of glanders and farcy) predominates in the upper and lower respiratory tracts and skin

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the clinical forms of glanders?

Pulmonary and nasal forms (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms are characteristic of glanders in equidae?

Swollen nostrils, catarrhal nasal discharge, lymphadenopathy, dyspnea, and pneumonia (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does glanders typically present in equidae?

As an acute respiratory illness with pulmonary and nasal involvement (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinguishing feature of farcy (the cutaneous form of glanders)?

The presence of farcy cords or farcy buds, which ulcerate along the cutaneous lymphatics (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the chronic form of glanders (farcy) manifest?

It presents as tubercle-like nodules along the skin's lymphatic pathways, which ulcerate (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about glanders and farcy is TRUE?

Glanders presents in pulmonary and nasal forms, while farcy affects the skin and lymphatics (B) Signup and view all the answers

Compared to glanders, farcy is generally:

More chronic and slow-progressing (D) Signup and view all the answers

The acute form of Glanders predominates in horses, whereas the chronic form of glanders predominates in donkeys, mules and felids

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

The acute form of glanders is fatal in about two weeks as the patient becomes septicemic

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

What are the routes of transmission for B. Mallei?

Feed, water, fomites, aerosols, wounds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following vectors has been implicated in the transmission of Burkholderia mallei?

House flies (Musca domestica) (B) Signup and view all the answers

How can carnivores contract Burkholderia mallei?

By consuming glanderous meat Signup and view all the answers

What factor influences the incubation period of Burkholderia mallei?

Species susceptibility, strain virulence, site of infection, and route of transmission (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following animal groups is particularly susceptible to natural Burkholderia mallei infection?

Guinea pigs, hamsters, and felids (B) Signup and view all the answers

___ and _ are highly susceptible to natural Burkholderia mallei infection

Guinea pigs and hamsters Signup and view all the answers

The “Strauss reaction” is a diagnostic test involving the intraperitoneal inoculation of Burkholderia mallei cultures in which animal?

Male Guinea pigs (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic outcome of a positive Strauss reaction?

Pulmonary fibrosis and nasal ulcers (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following species is believed to be resistant to Burkholderia mallei infection?

Cattle, fowl, rats, and pigs (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate sensitivity of the Strauss reaction in diagnosing Burkholderia mallei?

20% (B) Signup and view all the answers

How is Burkholderia mallei classified in terms of disease control and public health?

A reportable disease requiring immediate notification (C) Signup and view all the answers

Where should suspect Burkholderia mallei isolates be submitted for confirmation?

A biosafety level 3 (BLS-3) reference laboratory (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic method is approved for international trade but may give false positives due to Streptococcus equi cross-reactivity?

Serology tests (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the principle behind the intradermal-palpebral Mallein test?

It identifies cell-mediated hypersensitivity reactions (B) Signup and view all the answers

B. Mallei infections are treatable

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Although Glanders is treatable, eradication programs require culling of infected animals

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is vaccination not a viable control strategy for Burkholderia mallei?

Because there’s no vaccine available for glanders Signup and view all the answers

Burkholderia genus

A group of Gram-negative, aerobic bacilli bacteria.

Pathogenic species

B. mallei and B. pseudomallei are known to cause diseases in animals.