Potentially deadly soil bacterium gaining foothold in new regions, including the US
A potentially deadly disease caused by a soil-dwelling bacterium long found in tropical regions may be slowly gaining a foothold in the continental United States and other regions around the world. The discovery of the bacterium in Mississippi is raising new questions about how doctors should identify infections and track its spread.
A potentially deadly bacterium endemic to tropical and subtropical regions is gradually spreading to new areas, including parts of the United States. Known as melioidosis, the disease is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei and can be contracted through contact with contaminated soil, dust or water. Symptoms vary but may resemble pneumonia, tuberculosis, cancer or other serious conditions, making diagnosis difficult.
While still relatively uncommon in the U.S., the CDC linked multiple infections in Mississippi to soil and water sources in 2022, suggesting the bacterium has become established in the continental U.S. A new study in The Lancet Microbe examines the antibody response to melioidosis, finding that immune system markers may persist for years after infection.
This could complicate interpretation of blood tests used for diagnosis and surveillance, especially in regions where the disease is rare or newly emerging. Researchers say increased awareness among clinicians and ongoing surveillance are essential given the bacterium's ability to persist in the environment and the potential impacts of climate change on its geographic range.
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