Seroprevalence of
7 affiliations
- 1Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- 2Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- 3Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
- 4Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Thai Travel Clinic, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- 5Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- 6Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- 7Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Thai Travel Clinic, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Corresponding author.
Abstract
Objectives: Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei , is increasingly recognized as a travel-associated infection, yet the extent of exposure among international travelers remains unknown. We aimed to determine B. pseudomallei seroprevalence among travelers to Southeast Asia and explore risk factors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Bangkok, enrolling travelers aged ≥18 years from non-endemic regions who had spent ≥1 month in Southeast Asia. Sera were tested by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using two B. pseudomallei antigens, hemolysin co-regulated protein 1 and O-polysaccharide. Predefined diagnostic and exposure serological thresholds were applied. Risk factors were assessed by logistic regression. Results: Between August 2025 and January 2026, 370 travelers were enrolled. Overall, 49 (13.2%) were seropositive, including 25 (6.8%) with probable melioidosis and 24 (6.5%) with probable environmental exposure. Independent risk factors were female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.96; 95% confidence interval 1.05-3.67), North American origin (aOR 2.73; 1.44-5.18), and underlying medical conditions (aOR 2.25; 1.14-4.41). Conclusion: B. pseudomallei exposure among travelers to Southeast Asia is not rare, with one in eight seropositive. Inclusion of melioidosis in the differential diagnosis of febrile returning travelers, complemented by diagnostic approaches beyond culture alone, is needed to reduce misdiagnosis and preventable mortality.
BibTeX
@article{ali2026seroprevalence,
title = {{Seroprevalence of}},
author = {Qadija Mohamud Ali and Gerda Zschebek and Charlene Mae Salao Cagape and Natnaree Saiprom and Hasyanee Binmaeil and Rungnapa Phunpang and Sarunporn Tandhavanant and Mary N. Burtnick and Paul J. Brett and Tanaya Siripoon and Hisham Ahmed Imad and Claire Chewapreecha and Wirongrong Chierakul and Narisara Chantratita and Wasin Matsee},
journal = {International Journal of Infectious Diseases},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.ijid.2026.109085},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2026.109085},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Seroprevalence of
AU - Qadija Mohamud Ali
AU - Gerda Zschebek
AU - Charlene Mae Salao Cagape
AU - Natnaree Saiprom
AU - Hasyanee Binmaeil
AU - Rungnapa Phunpang
AU - Sarunporn Tandhavanant
AU - Mary N. Burtnick
AU - Paul J. Brett
AU - Tanaya Siripoon
AU - Hisham Ahmed Imad
AU - Claire Chewapreecha
AU - Wirongrong Chierakul
AU - Narisara Chantratita
AU - Wasin Matsee
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - International Journal of Infectious Diseases
DO - 10.1016/j.ijid.2026.109085
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2026.109085
AB - Objectives: Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei , is increasingly recognized as a travel-associated infection, yet the extent of exposure among international travelers remains unknown. We aimed to determine B. pseudomallei seroprevalence among travelers to Southeast Asia and explore risk factors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Bangkok, enrolling travelers aged ≥18 years from non-endemic regions who had spent ≥1 month in Southeast Asia. Sera were tested by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using two B. pseudomallei antigens, hemolysin co-regulated protein 1 and O-polysaccharide. Predefined diagnostic and exposure serological thresholds were applied. Risk factors were assessed by logistic regression. Results: Between August 2025 and January 2026, 370 travelers were enrolled. Overall, 49 (13.2%) were seropositive, including 25 (6.8%) with probable melioidosis and 24 (6.5%) with probable environmental exposure. Independent risk factors were female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.96; 95% confidence interval 1.05-3.67), North American origin (aOR 2.73; 1.44-5.18), and underlying medical conditions (aOR 2.25; 1.14-4.41). Conclusion: B. pseudomallei exposure among travelers to Southeast Asia is not rare, with one in eight seropositive. Inclusion of melioidosis in the differential diagnosis of febrile returning travelers, complemented by diagnostic approaches beyond culture alone, is needed to reduce misdiagnosis and preventable mortality.
SN - 1201-9712
SN - 1878-3511
ER -