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Fulltext Burkholderia pseudomallei and Melioidosis in Mainland Southeast Asia: A Regional Synthesis of Ecological, Epidemiological, and Public Health Perspectives

Oeurn K, Herbreteau V, Cheng S, Le TTH, Bañuls AL, Hide M

Transbound Emerg Dis, 2026;2026(1).
PMID: 42952242 DOI: 10.1155/tbed/5555905

Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei), the causative agent of melioidosis, is endemic to tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA). Despite its significant impact on human and animal health, the ecological distribution and public health burden of this environmental pathogen are still poorly documented. In MSEA, the bacterium is widespread, especially in rice-paddy irrigation water, canals, rivers, waterfalls, drinking-water sources, and even in ornamental fish tanks. It has been detected at various soil depths, up to 3 m, and is commonly associated with specific soil types. Environmental factors, including the physicochemical properties of soil and water, strongly influence the distribution of B. pseudomallei. Natural disasters and extreme weather events such as flooding, tsunamis, and heavy rainfall can significantly increase the incidence of melioidosis in MSEA. Animal infections have been reported, including outbreaks in zoos and domestic animals across MSEA. Despite its public health impact, melioidosis remains a non-notifiable disease in several MSEA countries, including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, and Vietnam. Treatment guidelines have been developed in several MSEA countries, although national guidance is absent or incomplete in Myanmar and is available only at the state level in Peninsular Malaysia. B. pseudomallei is widely distributed throughout the environment in MSEA, highlighting the need for integrated surveillance of environment, animal, and human infection. This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on the ecology, epidemiology, and public health aspects of B. pseudomallei and melioidosis in MSEA, highlighting key knowledge gaps and priorities for surveillance, laboratory capacity, and cross-border collaboration. Understanding the environmental distribution of B. pseudomallei and its links to climate and ecological factors is essential for anticipating changes in disease risk and implementing effective One Health strategies across MSEA.
Fulltext Challenges for ticks and tick-borne diseases research in Southeast Asia: Insight from the first international symposium in Cambodia

Yean S, Prasetyo DB, Marcombe S, Hadi UK, Kazim AR, Tiawsirisup S, et al.

PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2024 Jul;18(7):e0012269.
PMID: 38985826 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012269

BACKGROUND: Ticks, as critical vectors of a variety of pathogens, pose a significant public health challenge globally. In Southeast Asia (SEA), ticks are responsible for transmitting a diverse array of pathogens affecting humans and animals. The geographical and ecological diversity of SEA provides a unique environment that supports a wide range of tick species, which complicates the management and study of tick-borne diseases (TBDs).
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This article synthesizes findings from the first international symposium on ticks and TBDs in Southeast Asia, held in Phnom Penh on June 22 and 23, 2023. It highlights regional efforts to understand tick ecology and pathogen transmission. This paper proposes to present a summary of the various presentations given during the symposium following 3 main parts. The first one is devoted to the state of knowledge regarding ticks and TBDs in SEA countries, with presentations from 6 different countries, namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The second part focuses on the development of new research approaches on tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) and TBDs. The last part is a summary of the round table discussion held on the final day, with the aim of defining the most important challenges and recommendations for researches on TBP and TBD in the SEA region.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Key topics discussed include advancements in diagnostic tools, such as MALDI-TOF MS and proteomics, and the development of sustainable strategies for tick management and disease prevention. The symposium facilitated the exchange of knowledge and collaborative networks among experts from various disciplines, promoting a unified approach to tackling TBDs in the region. The symposium underscored the need for enhanced surveillance, diagnostics, and inter-regional cooperation to manage the threat of TBDs effectively. Recommendations include the establishment of a regional database for tick identification and the expansion of vector competence studies. These initiatives are crucial for developing targeted interventions and understanding the broader implications of climate change and urbanization on the prevalence of TBDs.

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