Investigating Anthrax-Associated Virulence Genes among Archival and Contemporary Group Genomes.

causes anthrax through virulence factors encoded on two plasmids. However, non- organisms within the closely related, environmentally ubiquitous group (BCG) may cause an anthrax-like disease in humans through the partial adoption of anthrax-associated virulence genes, challenging the definition of anthrax disease. To elucidate these phenomena and their evolutionary past, we performed whole-genome sequencing on non- BCG isolates, including 93 archival (1967-2003) and 5 contemporary isolates (2019-2023).

Locally Acquired Melioidosis Linked to Environment - Mississippi, 2020-2023.

Melioidosis, caused by , is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease endemic to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It is typically acquired through contact with contaminated soil or fresh water. Before this investigation, was not known to have been isolated from the environment in the continental United States.

Contact investigation of melioidosis cases reveals regional endemicity in Puerto Rico.

Background: Melioidosis results from infection with Burkholderia pseudomallei and is associated with case-fatality rates up to 40%. Early diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antimicrobials can improve survival rates. Fatal and nonfatal melioidosis cases were identified in Puerto Rico in 2010 and 2012, respectively, which prompted contact investigations to identify risk factors for infection and evaluate endemicity.

Burkholderia pseudomallei isolates in 2 pet iguanas, California, USA.

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, was isolated from abscesses of 2 pet green iguanas in California, USA. The international trade in iguanas may contribute to importation of this pathogen into countries where it is not endemic and put persons exposed to these animals at risk for infection.

Predictability of anthrax infection in the Serengeti, Tanzania.

Anthrax is endemic throughout Africa, causing considerable livestock and wildlife losses and severe, sometimes fatal, infection in humans. Predicting the risk of infection is therefore important for public health, wildlife conservation and livestock economies. However, because of the intermittent and variable nature of anthrax outbreaks, associated environmental and climatic conditions, and diversity of species affected, the ecology of this multihost pathogen is poorly understood.

Lethal factor toxemia and anti-protective antigen antibody activity in naturally acquired cutaneous anthrax.

Cutaneous anthrax outbreaks occurred in Bangladesh from August to October 2009. As part of the epidemiological response and to confirm anthrax diagnoses, serum samples were collected from suspected case patients with observed cutaneous lesions. Anthrax lethal factor (LF), anti-protective antigen (anti-PA) immunoglobulin G (IgG), and anthrax lethal toxin neutralization activity (TNA) levels were determined in acute and convalescent serum of 26 case patients with suspected cutaneous anthrax from the first and largest of these outbreaks.

Serologic surveillance of anthrax in the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania, 1996-2009.

Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax, is responsible for varying death rates among animal species. Difficulties in case detection, hazardous or inaccessible carcasses, and misdiagnosis hinder surveillance. Using case reports and a new serologic assay that enables multispecies comparisons, we examined exposure to and illness caused by B.

Identification and characterization of clinical Bacillus spp. isolates phenotypically similar to Bacillus anthracis.

Bacillus anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax, is a gram-positive, spore-forming rod, with colonies exhibiting a unique ground-glass appearance, and lacking hemolysis and motility. In addition to these phenotypes, several others traits are characteristic of B. anthracis such as susceptibility to gamma phage, the presence of two virulence plasmids (pX01 and pX02), and specific cell wall and capsular antigens that are commonly detected by direct fluorescent-antibody assays.

Comparison of four selective media for the isolation of Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Currently there are no commercially available selective media indicated for the isolation of Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei. Ashdown's agar, a custom selective medium for isolation of B. pseudomallei, is well described in the literature but unavailable commercially.