Real-time PCR kit for the detection of the causative agent of glanders

Target organisms: the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia mallei.

Glanders is a contagious zoonotic disease that primarily affects horses, donkeys and other odd-toed ungulates. It can also infect humans through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated materials, leading to symptoms ranging from fever and respiratory problems to severe complications if left untreated. The bacterium is highly pathogenic and is included on the list of potential agents of bioterrorism.

In addition to primers for the detection of pathogenic DNA, the kit contains an internal extraction control (IEC), which confirms that nucleic acids have been properly extracted from the selected biological sample.