Detection of Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil within the Lao people’s Democratic Republic

Abstract

There is a close relationship in Thailand between the presence of Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil and water, and the incidence of melioidosis. This is related to the mechanism of infection, which is thought to be inoculation of the organism thought to be inoculation of the organism through the skin and subsequent haematogenous dissemination to internal organs. Melioidosis in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) was first reported in 1999 with the description of two cases, but the presence of B.pseudomallei in soil has not previously been reported. The aim of this study was to conducts soil sampling in the area around the capital city, Vientiane. A survey of rice fields was undertaken during September 1998 (the rainy season) along roads radiating out in a 150 km radius from the centre of Vientiane.36% of 110 soil samples in northern Lao PDR were positive for B.pseudomallei. This provides further evidence for the link between melioidosis and the presence of B.pseudomallei in the environment.