Geographical distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Taiwanese croplands and the influence of bacterial community interactions on its incubation viability.

ABSTRACT: Burkholderia pseudomallei is a soil-borne pathogen responsible for melioidosis, a potentially fatal disease. While endemic melioidosis in Taiwan is marked by both clinical cases and environmental detection, a comprehensive environmental survey has been lacking. A nationwide cropland survey using B. pseudomallei-specific orf2-PCR revealed regional positivity rates of 2.1% in northern, 8.2% in central, 15.1% in southern, and 9.8% in eastern Taiwan, with the highest PCR positivity and cumulative melioidosis incidence (12.14 cases per 100,000 people from 2003 to 2024) observed in the south. Vertical profiling showed a higher DNA detection rate at a depth of 60 cm, with increased surface-level detection during rainy periods and a decline after sunny conditions, particularly in the southern area

SUBMITTER: Chen KY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12574894 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature