Mr PALMER - 1995-03-01
Mr PALMER (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Mr Speaker, in Question Time yesterday, the member for Nelson asked me a question related to the zoonotic implications of melioidosis. I have sought a brief on that and I provide that information now for the member.
Melioidosis is caused by infection with the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei and the disease is confirmed by isolation of that organism. Application of molecular biological techniques has shown that isolates of the bacterium can be divided into 22 different types. The more advanced biomolecular deoxyribonucleic acid analysis, to which the honourable member refers, allows subdivision of strains of the same type. As such, it is not a procedure for the early detection of melioidosis, but provides a powerful tool for studying relationships between different disease incidents and isolates of the bacterium from different sources.
Scientists from the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries have collaborated with researchers at Menzies School of Health Research in the application of DNA analysis technology to bacterial isolates from cases of melioidosis in humans, goats and cats, as well as
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isolates from the soil. These studies have shown that 14 out of 15 goats were infected with an identical strain of one type, the 15th being infected with a different type and strain. These strains were different from isolates from human cases of melioidosis. Investigation of soil in the paddock where the outbreak in goats occurred yielded 24 isolates, half of which were identical to one of the 2 strains in affected goats. The other isolates belonged to 2 strains not isolated from goats.
Melioidosis organisms isolated from 4 cats were all of one strain, consistent with the indication that they all became infected by injection from one bottle of a therapeutic substance. These too were different from the strains affecting humans and goats.
Although this work and its findings have not answered all the questions we may wish to ask about melioidosis in the Top End, it has provided valuable insights into the sources of infection and the nature of spread between animals. It is a fine example of cooperation between scientists from different callings and vocations, combining their efforts to advance science, knowledge and the health and welfare of humankind, goats and other animals in the Northern Territory.
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Melioidosis is caused by infection with the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei and the disease is confirmed by isolation of that organism. Application of molecular biological techniques has shown that isolates of the bacterium can be divided into 22 different types. The more advanced biomolecular deoxyribonucleic acid analysis, to which the honourable member refers, allows subdivision of strains of the same type. As such, it is not a procedure for the early detection of melioidosis, but provides a powerful tool for studying relationships between different disease incidents and isolates of the bacterium from different sources.
Scientists from the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries have collaborated with researchers at Menzies School of Health Research in the application of DNA analysis technology to bacterial isolates from cases of melioidosis in humans, goats and cats, as well as
Page 479
isolates from the soil. These studies have shown that 14 out of 15 goats were infected with an identical strain of one type, the 15th being infected with a different type and strain. These strains were different from isolates from human cases of melioidosis. Investigation of soil in the paddock where the outbreak in goats occurred yielded 24 isolates, half of which were identical to one of the 2 strains in affected goats. The other isolates belonged to 2 strains not isolated from goats.
Melioidosis organisms isolated from 4 cats were all of one strain, consistent with the indication that they all became infected by injection from one bottle of a therapeutic substance. These too were different from the strains affecting humans and goats.
Although this work and its findings have not answered all the questions we may wish to ask about melioidosis in the Top End, it has provided valuable insights into the sources of infection and the nature of spread between animals. It is a fine example of cooperation between scientists from different callings and vocations, combining their efforts to advance science, knowledge and the health and welfare of humankind, goats and other animals in the Northern Territory.
Page 480
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016