Mormo e bioterrorismo

Focus
Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei as Bioterrorism Agents: National Aspects of Emergency Preparedness
Jacob Gilad MD1,2, Idit Harary MD1, Tsvika Dushnitsky MD1, David Schwartz PhD2 and Yoram Amsalem MD1
1 2

CBRN Medicine Branch, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Israel Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

Key words: bioterrorism, burkholderia, melioidosis, glanders, preparedness
IMAJ 2007;9:499–503

Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei are the causative organisms of glanders and melioidosis, respectively. Although now rare in western countries, both organisms have recently gained much interest because of their unique potential as bio­ terrorism agents [1]. Despite being unique organisms, B. mallei and B. pseudomallei share many similarities and may be considered together in the context of a deliberate­release event. These pathogens are less familiar to medical and labora­ tory personnel than other select bioterrorism bacterial agents such as Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis and Francisella tularensis and, therefore, a review of glanders and melioidosis is crucial in order to guide emergency preparedness and response to a deliberate­release event. The aim of this paper is to review the unique characteristics of these organisms in the context of bioterrorism, with special emphasis on national aspects of preparedness in Israel.

in Iran, and suspected cases in Egypt, the Gulf Emirates and Saudi Arabia, but not Israel. Glanders primarily affects animals and can be transmitted both from animal to animal and animal to human, while human­ to­human transmission is rare, at least in nature. Most human cases during the 20th century were occupational infections among laboratory workers, horse handlers, butchers and veterinarians [5].
Table 1. Key features contributing to the bioterrorism potential of B. mallei and B. pseudomallei
Aspect Key features