Burkholderia pseudomallei Genotype Distribution in the Northern Territory, Australia

Stephanie Chapple, Erin Price, Derek Sarovich, Evan McRobb, Mark Mayo, Mirjam Kaestli, Brian Spratt, Bart Currie

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18 Citations (Scopus)
52 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Melioidosis is a tropical disease of high mortality caused by the environmental bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei. We have collected clinical isolates from the highly endemic Northern Territory of Australia routinely since 1989, and animal and environmental B. pseudomallei isolates since 1991. Here we provide a complete record of all B. pseudomallei multilocus sequence types (STs) found in the Northern Territory to date, and distribution maps of the eight most common environmental STs. We observed surprisingly restricted geographic distributions of STs, which is contrary to previous reports suggesting widespread environmental dissemination of this bacterium. Our data suggest that B. pseudomallei from soil and water does not frequently disperse long distances following severe weather events or by migration of infected animals.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)68-72
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume94
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2016

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