GLANDERS- is an infectious disease that is causes by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei.  It is a disease primarily effecting horses.  It can also affect donkeys and mules and can be naturally contracted by goats, dogs, and cats.  Humans have not been affected by it since 1945.

Burkholderia mallei- is an organism that is associated with infections in laboratory workers because very few organisms are needed to cause disease.  Burkholderia mallei was considered as a potential agent for “biological warfare” and of “biological terrorism”

Glanders hasn’t been seen any naturally occurring since the 1940’s in the United States.  Although it is still commonly seen among some domestic animals in Africa, Asia, the middle east, and central and south America. 

Humans can only get Glanders if they have had direct contact with infected animals.  The bacteria enters the body through the skin and through mucosal surfaces of the eyes and nose.  The sporadic cases have been documented in veterinarians, horse caretakers and laboratorians.

The symptoms of Glanders depends on what the organism’s routines are.  The types of infections include localized, pus-forming cutaneous infections, pulmonary infections, bloodstream infections, and chronic suppurative infections of the skin. 

Localized infections: If there is a cut or scratch in the skin, a localized infection with ulceration will develop within 1 to 5 days at the site where the bacteria entered the body. Swollen lymph nodes may also be apparent. Infections involving the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract will cause increased mucus production from the affected sites.

Pulmonary infection: In pulmonary infections, pneumonia, pulmonary abscesses, and pleural effusion can occur. Chest X-rays will show localized infection in the lobes of the lungs.

Bloodstream infections: Glanders bloodstream infections are usually fatal within 7 to 10 days.

Chronic infections: The chronic form of glanders involves multiple abscesses within the muscles of the arms and legs or in the spleen or liver.