No hints for abundance of Bacillus anthracis and Burkholderia pseudomallei in 100 environmental samples from Cameroon

Abstract

Background Little is known on the abundance of the pathogens Bacillus anthracis and Burkholderia pseudomallei in environmental samples in Cameroon. Therefore, 100 respective samples were assessed in a proof-of-principle assessment. Methods DNA residuals from nucleic acid extractions of 100 environmental samples, which were collected between 2011 and 2013 in the Mapé Basin of Cameroon, were screened for B. anthracis and B. pseudomallei by real-time PCR. The samples comprised soil samples with water contact (n = 88), soil samples without water contact (n = 6), plant material with water contact (n = 3), water (n = 2), and soil from a hospital dressing room (n = 1). Results B. anthracis and B. pseudomallei were detected in none of the samples assessed. Conclusion The results indicate that at least a quantitatively overwhelming, ubiquitous occurrence of B. anthracis and B. pseudomallei in the environment in Cameroon is highly unlikely. However, the number and choice of the assessed samples limit the interpretability of the results.

Melioidosis and Burkholderia pseudomallei: progress in epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and vaccination

“…The most recent example of unmasking of melioidosis in Africa is from Ghana, where, in addition to a reported case of chronic melioidosis osteomyelitis [13], B. pseudomallei has been recovered from a formal soil sampling study of a rice farm in south-central Ghana [14]. Preliminary environmental sampling from Cameroon, however, recovered no B. pseudomallei [15].…”

Combatting anthrax outbreaks across Nigeria’s national land borders: need to optimize surveillance with epidemiological surveys

“…Socio-cultural practices at the community level, such as the slaughter of sick animals or the butchering of dead animals for salvage purposes, as well as the consumption or handling of meat from infected animals, contribute to recurrent cases of anthrax in humans. Recent reports have indicated the reduced likelihood of anthrax outbreaks in neighboring countries such as Cameroon and Chad, which share borders with Nigeria [ 1 , 18 , 19 ]. Therefore, the recent outbreaks in the northern part of Ghana and more recently within Nigeria itself underscore the immediate requirement for comprehensive actions that are not limited to surveillance, livestock vaccination, and appropriate disposal of animal carcasses.…”