Burkholderia pseudomalleiIsolates in 2 Pet Iguanas, California, USA

• DOI: 10.3201/eid2002.131314
• Publication Date: 2014-01-07T17:47:02Z
• Authors: Ashley M. Zehnder; Michelle G. Hawkins; Marilyn A. Koski; Barry Lifland; Barbara A. Byrne; Alexandra A. Swanson; Michael P. Rood; Jay E. Gee; Mindy Glass Elrod; Cari A. Beesley; David D. Blaney; Jean Ventura; Alex R. Hoffmaster; Emily S. Beeler
• Keywords: iguana; DNA, Bacterial; Burkholderia pseudomallei; abscess; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Polymerase Chain Reaction; California; 03 medical and health sciences; Animals; Humans; bacteria; 0303 health sciences; R; Dispatch; Pets; Abscess; zoonoses; 3. Good health; Melioidosis; Iguanas; Medicine; Female; melioidosis

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, was isolated from abscesses of 2 pet green iguanas in California, USA. The international trade in iguanas may contribute to importation of this pathogen into countries where it is not endemic and put persons exposed to these animals at risk for infection.