Abstract

The environmental Gram negative bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, have been found globally. B. pseudomallei can survive under a wide range of environmental conditions and is isolated from soil in both rainy and dry seasons. The correlation of melioidosis cases have been predominantly found present in B. pseudomallei during rainfall. In the present study, various physico-chemical properties of soil in rainy and dry seasons in Khon Kaen, Thailand, where melioidosis is endemic, were investigated for their correlations with the presence of B. pseudomallei. The results revealed that the mean soil pH of 6.05, the low percentage of water holding capacity (%WHC) and the low iron (Fe) were significantly correlated with the presence of B. pseudomallei (p < 0.05) in the rainy season, while high concentration of manganese (Mn) was correlated with the presence of this bacterium in dry season (p < 0.05). These data will be useful in the control of B. pseudomallei in the environment to reduce melioidosis cases.

Key words: Soil physico-chemical properties, Burkholderia pseudomallei, melioidosis