What is the Difference Between Burkholderia Mallei and Pseudomallei?

Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei are two closely related bacterial species that cause serious diseases in humans and animals. They share over 99% genetic homology. Here are the main differences between the two:

1. Diseases caused: B. pseudomallei causes melioidosis in humans and animals, while B. mallei is the causative agent of glanders in equines and rarely in humans.
2. Habitat: B. pseudomallei is a facultative intracellular soil bacterium, and it has the highest prevalence in hot and humid regions of Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. B. mallei is an obligate mammalian pathogen and primarily affects solipeds (horses, mules, and donkeys).
3. Morphology: B. mallei is a nonmotile, aerobic, gram-negative coccobacillus, which may or may not be oxidase positive or grow on MacConkey agar. B. pseudomallei is an oxidase-positive, aerobic, gram-negative bacillus that is straight or slightly curved and grows on most standard laboratory media.
4. Diagnosis: Identification and differentiation between B. mallei and B. pseudomallei can be challenging due to their genetic similarity. However, multiplex PCR and other molecular methods have been developed to differentiate between these species.

Both bacterial species are classified as priority category B biological agents by the CDC.

Comparative Table: Burkholderia Mallei vs Pseudomallei

Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei are genetically closely related bacterial species that cause fatal diseases in humans, specifically glanders and melioidosis, respectively. They are both highly pathogenic and considered potential bioterrorism agents. Here is a table summarizing the differences between the two species:

Differentiating between the two species can be challenging due to their high genetic similarity. However, molecular methods such as real-time PCR targeting type III secretion system genes and multiplex PCR have been developed to identify and discriminate between them.