Name: Glanders Burkholderia mallei qPCR
Brand: Equigerminal
Price: 49.0 GBP

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Glanders Burkholderia mallei qPCR

Pathogen test The PCR test detects the genome (DNA) of Burkholderia mallei, the bacteria responsible for Glanders in equines. Sample 5 mL - blood - K3...

£49.00

Sample Requirements

5 mL - blood - K3 EDTA tube

Send your sample by regular mail or express delivery to:

Equigerminal Lab HIESE
Rua da Quinta do Sobreiro Nº25
3230-343 Penela, Portugal

Turnaround Time

2 to 5 working days

About the test

The Glanders PCR Test detects the DNA of Burkholderia mallei, the bacterium responsible for Glanders, a highly contagious and often fatal disease affecting horses, donkeys and mules.

Real-time PCR provides rapid and highly specific molecular detection of B. mallei, making it an important tool for confirming infection in suspected clinical cases and supporting disease surveillance.

Glanders is a WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health) listed disease, and confirmed cases must be officially reported.

Why test?

Testing for Glanders helps to:

Detect Burkholderia mallei DNA in infected animals.
Confirm suspected clinical cases.
Support surveillance and disease control programmes.
Assist with import and export requirements where applicable.
Enable early diagnosis and implementation of biosecurity measures.

How it works

🛒 Purchase the Test: Select and buy the test online.

📧 Receive Instructions: After payment confirmation, receive instructions for sample collection.

✨ Sample Collection: Your veterinarian collects a blood sample.

📄 Download Submission Form: Download the printable submission form.

📮 Send Samples: Send to:

Equigerminal Lab HIESE
Rua da Quinta do Sobreiro Nº25
3230-343 Penela, Portugal

📄 Receive Results: Your laboratory report will be sent by email.

Clinical signs

The disease causes nodules and ulcerations in the respiratory tract and lungs in animals.
A skin form, known as ‘farcy’, also occurs.
Both acute and chronic forms of the disease have been described.
Acute forms occur most frequently in donkeys and mules, with high fever and respiratory signs.
In horses, glanders generally takes a more chronic course and they may survive for several years.
There are four recognised clinical presentations of glanders: nasal, pulmonary, cutaneous and asymptomatic carrier. These different forms of glanders are usually referred to according to the location of the initial infection. The nasal and pulmonary forms tend to be more acute while the cutaneous form is a chronic process.
Inflammatory nodules and ulcers develop in the nasal passages and give rise to a sticky yellow discharge. Stellate scarring follows upon healing of the ulcers.
The formation of nodular abscesses in the lungs is accompanied by progressive debility, coughing and may also be accompanied by diarrhoea.
In the cutaneous form (“farcy’), the lymph vessels are enlarged; nodular abscesses form along their course, which then ulcerate and discharge yellow pus. Nodules are regularly found in the liver and spleen, leading to wasting and death.

Transmission

The most common source of infection is ingestion of contaminated food or water.

Contaminated aerosols (produced by coughing and sneezing), and contaminated fomites brought to the animals via grooming equipment and tack may also be a source of infection.

The bacteria can also enter the body through contact with lesions or abrasions of the skin or through mucosa. In this case, a local infection with ulceration may develop spreading to other parts of the body in the course of the disease.

Poor husbandry and feeding conditions as well as animal transport can be predisposing factors. Unsanitary conditions and over-crowded stables are risk factors.

Prevention

To date, no treatment with veterinary drugs is capable to cure the infection.

Control of glanders requires early detection and diagnostic testing of suspected clinical cases, screening of apparently normal equids, and elimination of positive cases.

For glanders-free countries, there are recommendations on importing equines. An international veterinary certificate is required attesting that the animals showed no clinical signs of glanders and were kept in an exporting country free of the disease for at least 6 months prior to shipment.

Additional information

Glanders is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei and primarily affects horses, donkeys and mules. The disease may present as nasal, pulmonary, cutaneous ("farcy"), or asymptomatic carrier forms.

Clinical signs include respiratory nodules and ulcers, nasal discharge, enlarged lymphatic vessels, skin abscesses, progressive weight loss and, in severe cases, death.

Transmission occurs mainly through contaminated feed or water, respiratory secretions, contaminated equipment (fomites), or direct contact with infected tissues and secretions. Poor hygiene and overcrowding increase the risk of disease spread.

Because B. mallei is also zoonotic, appropriate biosafety precautions should always be followed when handling suspect animals or samples.

There is currently no effective veterinary treatment, and disease control relies on early diagnosis, strict biosecurity measures and elimination of infected animals.

FAQs

What does this test detect?

The test detects the DNA of Burkholderia mallei, confirming the presence of the bacterium responsible for Glanders.

Which animals are affected?

Glanders primarily affects horses, donkeys and mules, although other mammals, including humans, can become infected.

Is Glanders contagious?

Yes. The disease spreads through contaminated feed, water, respiratory secretions, direct contact and contaminated equipment.

Can Glanders be treated?

There is currently no effective veterinary treatment. Disease control relies on early diagnosis, biosecurity and removal of infected animals.

Why is Glanders testing important?

Glanders is an internationally notifiable disease. Rapid molecular diagnosis supports disease surveillance, outbreak control and international movement of equids.