The prevalence and distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei in rice paddy within Hainan, China

Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, mainly found in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. In Hainan, sporadic cases were first described in 1990; since then, more cases have been identified. No systematic study has yet been done to detect the environmental source of the organism and its true extent in Hainan. This study is aimed to confirm the prevalence of B. pseudomallei in soil samples in Hainan. 1080 soil samples from 18 different counties were collected from 3 sampling points of 360 sites. They were screened for the presence of B. pseudomallei by Ashdown selective media. Suspected colonies of B. pseudomallei were confirmed by biochemical test and a specific PCR assay. 48 of 360 sites (13.3%) were positive for B. pseudomallei, including all coastal counties in Hainan Island. This study revealed the prevalence and distribution of B. pseudomallei in the soil environment in Hainan Island of southern China and may be helpful to understand the distribution of B. pseudomallei and to access its epidemiological importance.