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The mystery of Meliodalis disease: What are the origins of this disease?
Mallei's disease is an infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. While most people exposed to the bacteria do not develop symptoms, for some people symptoms can range from mild fever and skin changes to severe pneumonia, abscesses and septic shock, which can lead to death. Approximately 165,000 people are diagnosed with Mellitus each year, and an estimated 89,000 people die from it.
The variety of symptoms exhibited by Meliodalis disease often leads to it being called "the great imitator." The disease is challenging to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of tuberculosis, which leads to many cases being misdiagnosed.
How Mellitus disease is transmitted
Humans are usually infected with B. pseudomallei through contact with contaminated soil or water. These bacteria can enter the body through wounds, inhalation, or ingestion; however, transmission from person to person or from animal to person is very rare. Meliomas occurs frequently in Southeast Asia, especially in northeastern Thailand and northern Australia. In temperate countries such as Europe and the United States, cases of Meliodalis disease usually arise from immigrants from these endemic areas.
Acute Meliot's disease
The incubation period for acute Mellitus averages 9 days and can range up to 21 days. Some patients develop symptoms within 24 hours of exposure to contaminated water, manifesting as symptoms of systemic infection such as fever, pneumonia, or local abscesses. In addition to skin changes and internal organ problems, lung symptoms are also very common, especially pneumonia. A chest X-ray may reveal a variety of findings consistent with symptoms, such as water-flooded nodules or pulmonary enhancement.
Chronic and latent Meliodalis disease
About 10% of people with Mellitus experience chronic symptoms, such as persistent fever and weight loss, that last for more than two months. Latent Mellitus disease can persist for decades without causing symptoms, occasionally reactivating during periods of poor health or stress.
Causes and origins of Meliodalis disease
B. pseudomallei is commonly found in soil and surface waters and is able to survive in a variety of environments, including both eutrophic and oligotrophic conditions. The study showed that the bacteria had high genetic variability, possibly derived from the high genetic diversity in Australia. In addition, the bacterium's genome contains features that help it adapt to different environments, which provides an advantage for its survival.
Furthermore,
B. pseudomalleican infect a variety of cell types and evade the body's immune response, and its flexibility in transmission makes the bacterium a thorny public health problem.
Diagnosis and treatment of Meliot's disease
The diagnosis of Meliodalis disease is usually confirmed by growing B. pseudomallei in blood or other body fluids. When patients are treated, they first receive an intensive course of chemotherapy, usually with intravenous antibiotics (most commonly ceftazidime), followed by several months of oral antibiotics.
Preventive measures and public health strategies
Prevention measures for Melior's disease include wearing protective gear when handling contaminated water or soil, maintaining hand hygiene, drinking boiled water, and avoiding direct contact with soil and water. Although there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of preventive drugs for Mellitus, preventive treatments used after exposure to high-risk patients in laboratory settings have shown some effectiveness.
When facing Meliodalis disease, in-depth research on its origin and pathological mechanism remains a top priority for future public health work. In this battle against bacteria, how should we improve our own protection and response capabilities?
