Environmental Sampling with NAU for High Consequence Pathogens

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a soil- and water-borne pathogen for which favorable environmental factors such as pH, particle size, salinity, moisture content, and total nitrogen have been described. Soil characteristics, as well as results from ongoing serologic studies by the Zoonotic and Select Agent Laboratory within the Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch at CDC examining patients presenting with febrile illness for evidence of exposure to Burkholderia pseudomallei, will be used to guide identification of locations suitable for environmental sampling. A minimum of 500 soil samples and 100 water samples will be collected during the study period, with shipment of samples to the collecting institution or the CDC for culture and genotypic studies. Based on the results of these studies, a better understanding of the distribution of B. pseudomallei in the environment as well as identification of higher risk areas for disease is expected.