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. 2014 Feb;20(2):265-8.
doi: 10.3201/eid2002.121891.

Melioidosis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei in drinking water, Thailand, 2012

Direk Limmathurotsakul, Gumphol Wongsuvan, David Aanensen, Sujittra Ngamwilai, Natnaree Saiprom, Patpong Rongkard, Janjira Thaipadungpanit, Manas Kanoksil, Narisara Chantratita, Nicholas P J Day, Sharon J Peacock

Melioidosis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei in drinking water, Thailand, 2012

Direk Limmathurotsakul et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2014 Feb.

Abstract

We identified 10 patients in Thailand with culture-confirmed melioidosis who had Burkholderia pseudomallei isolated from their drinking water. The multilocus sequence type of B. pseudomallei from clinical specimens and water samples were identical for 2 patients. This finding suggests that drinking water is a preventable source of B. pseudomallei infection.

Keywords: Burkholderia pseudomallei; Thailand; bacteria; drinking water; genotyping; melioidosis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage of water samples positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei, Thailand, 2012.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ubon Ratchathani Province in northeastern Thailand and locations where water samples were tested for Burkholderia pseudomallei, 2012. Location of wells, bore holes, and tap water samples that were positive are indicated by orange, red, and black circles, respectively. The red square in the inset indicates the study area in Thailand.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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