2. INTRODUCTION
• The Mallein test is a sensitive and specific clinical test for GLANDERS.
• It is a common bacterial disease caused by Burkholderia mallei.
• This test is an allergic hypersensitivity test.
• Used to diagnose Glanders.
• Mallein was discovered in 1890. Before 1934, glanders was widespread.
• In the early 1900s, glanders was common in Europe, the United States of America, and Canada, and has
been successfully eliminated by mass testing and the slaughter and destruction of campaigns.
• Glanders is still present in Asia, the Middle East and South America.
• Mallein is purified protein derivative (PPD).
• Intradermal-Palpebral test is more sensitive and reliable.
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3. Advantage
• The specificity of Mallein tests and the efficiency and potency of it are
connected to the "molecular weight of protein fractions, antigenic range,
and virulence.
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4. Limitations
• Although Mallein is the most commonly used form of testing for glanders,
cross reactions were reported between Burkholderia mallei
and Streptococcus equi, which is a bacteria-caused contagious upper
respiratory tract infection of equines.
• This resulted in false-positive reactions.
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5. Procedure
• Mallein, a glycoprotein fraction of B. mallei, is usually injected by an eye-drop.
• If the animal is suffering from Glanders, they would have started producing
antibodies at an alarming rate.
• If an animal is infected, the animal will show swelling in the eye from
around 48 hours of injection and may be accompanied by secretion
and conjunctivitis.
• Mallein is non toxic to normal animals, so normal animals will not have
response hypersensitivity action towards Mallein protein.
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