Comparative experimental subcutaneous glanders and melioidosis in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Issue 6 (5th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nelson, Michelle; Salguero, Francisco J.; Dean, Rachel E.; Ngugi, Sarah A.; Smither, Sophie J.; Atkins, Timothy P.; Lever, Mark S.
• Is Part Of: International journal of experimental pathology. Volume 95:Issue 6(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 378
• Page End: 391
• Publication Date: 2014-12-05
• Subjects: Pathology, Experimental -- Periodicals; 616.07
• DOI: 10.1111/iep.12105
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-9673

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="iep12105-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>Glanders and melioidosis are caused by two distinct <italic>Burkholderia</italic> species and have generally been considered to have similar disease progression. While both of these pathogens are HHS/CDC Tier 1 agents, natural infection with both these pathogens is primarily through skin inoculation. The common marmoset (<italic>Callithrix jacchus</italic>) was used to compare disease following experimental subcutaneous challenge. Acute, lethal disease was observed in marmosets following challenge with between 26 and 1.2 × 10<sup>8</sup> cfu <italic>Burkholderia pseudomallei</italic> within 22–85 h. The reproducibility and progression of the disease were assessed following a challenge of 1 × 10<sup>2</sup> cfu of <italic>B. pseudomallei</italic>. Melioidosis was characterised by high levels of bacteraemia, focal microgranuloma progressing to non‐necrotic multifocal solid lesions in the livers and spleens and multi‐organ failure. Lethal disease was observed in 93% of animals challenged with <italic>Burkholderia mallei, </italic> occurring between 5 and 10.6 days. Following challenge with 1 × 10<sup>2</sup> cfu of <italic>B. mallei</italic>, glanders was characterised with lymphatic spread of the bacteria and non‐necrotic, multifocal solid lesions progressing to a multifocal lesion with severe necrosis and pneumonia. The experimental results confirmed that the disease pathology and presentation is strikingly different between the two pathogens. The marmoset provides a model of the human syndrome for both diseases facilitating the development of medical countermeasures.</p> </abstract>