Image source: Inhabitat
Brilio.net/en - A study sheds new light on how the infectious disease melioidosis spreads, and cautions that it could be used as a bioweapon.
Melioidosis, caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, causes organ failure and can kill within 24 hours. It lives in soil and can be inhaled by humans when the earth is disturbed.
Scientists from Griffith University and Bond University say people can become infected without noticing any symptoms before it spreads to the brain and spinal cord. Once in the brain, you have a 20-50 percent chance of dying.
Their study, published in the journal Immunity and Infection, provides new insight into just how fast the disease moves.
Imagine walking around and you sniff it up from the soil and the next day youve got this bacteria in your brain and damaging the spinal cord. says Dr James St John from Griffith University.
It can be at a very low level, the body doesnt know its there. You could have it and dont know it, thats scary.
St John says melioidosis has the potential to be used as a bioweapon, a statement that has freaked out media outlets around the world!
The United States National Institute of Health currently classifies melioidosis as a Category B pathogen, the second-highest on its list of high priority threats. But this new information about the disease may mean it moves into Category A.
Speedy & silent killer
Scientists watched how the disease spread in mice. Once you inhale the bacteria it makes a home in your nasal cavity (behind your nose), and travels from the nerves there to the spinal cord and the brain.
The distance it can travel is rocking the science world.
Even if the disease doesnt kill you, it can cause long-term damage to your brain and other vital organs.
Dr St John says it could just be sitting there waiting for an opportune moment, or it could just be doing small incremental damage over a lifetime. You could lose the function in your brain incrementally.
The disease is predominantly found in northern Australia and Southeast Asia, and is already responsible for about 89,000 deaths a year.
At least theyre trying to find a cure!
(brl/red)
