Thursday, March 16, 2023
News on Pathogens and Preparedness
Global Biodefense
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Global Biodefense
No Result
View All Result
Home Defense + Military

U.S. Navy Researchers Collaborate with Australian Melioidosis Expert to Study Pathogen Risks to Servicemembers in Indo-Pacific

by Global Biodefense Staff
September 23, 2021
U.S. Navy Researchers Collaborate with Australian Melioidosis Expert to Study Pathogen Risks to Servicemembers in Indo-Pacific

U.S. Marines with High Mobility Artillery Rocket System platoon, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin stage for a photo during Exercise Koolendong at Bradshaw Field Training Area, NT, Australia, Aug. 28, 2021. Credit: Colton Garrett

A team of researchers from Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) are working to understand the risks associated with Burkholderia pseudomallei to service members deployed to Australia. The team works in collaboration with Dr. Bart Currie of the Menzies School of Health Research, headquartered in Darwin and one of the world’s foremost authorities on Melioidosis.

U.S. Marines have been deploying to Australia since 2012 as part of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) to participate in joint training exercises. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Australia is one of the countries with the greatest number of cases of Melioidosis.

Melioidosis, caused by B. pseudomallei, is not contagious and can take different forms from localized skin infection to an infection of the lungs associated with high fever, headache, chest pain, and coughing, as well as infection of bones and pus-filled abscesses in the skin, lungs, or other organs.

Recently the CDC reported cases of melioidosis in the United States. This could be an indication of a new emergence of this disease and sheds light on the importance of infectious disease research and surveillance.

The study’s principle investigator, Dr. Kevin Schully, from NMRC’s Biological Defense Research Directorate has a wealth of experience in human clinical studies. He has studied B. pseudomallei for 14 years and was inspired to follow the MRF-D rotations since learning of their existence in 2014.

“It was important to understand the risks to MRF-D. This is the first major presence of U.S. forces in a B. pseudomallei endemic area since the Vietnam War. During that time, there were hundreds of melioidosis cases that we know of and numerous dormant infections that manifested years later,” said Schully.

“We are very cognizant of the level of seriousness that the Northern Territory of Australia takes in preventing and mitigating infectious disease, especially in light of their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic during our last two rotations. We have remained compliant with all regulations set forth by NT Health and remain committed to maintaining the safety of the community in which we live and work,” said Col. David Banning, MRF-D commanding officer.

Biosurveillance is a key component of the military’s approach to prevent infections during deployments. Vector surveillance is credited for characterizing the threat of leishmaniasis to coalition forces in Iraq, where mitigation strategies dramatically decreased the incidence of leishmaniasis cases.

Since the beginning of the study, NMRC has followed five rotations of MRF-D Marines and Sailors from 2016-2020 to study B. pseudomallei risks and is currently following the 2021 rotation. 1,488 voluntary participants provided blood samples before, during and after the deployment.

“There was one serious B. pseudomallei infection in MRF-D so far and there have also been numerous asymptomatic infections. The analysis is ongoing so we are unable to attach an exact number right now,” said Schully. Melioidosis is not contagious but because of its ability to lie dormant for long periods of time, it is important to understand the frequency with which MRF-D participants are experiencing these asymptomatic infections.

Force Health Protection measures are essential and in place to protect service members overseas. The study protocol is structured to allow the addition of surveillance studies for other diseases. The study was expanded to include Ross River Virus (RRV), Australia’s most common and widespread mosquito-borne pathogen along with Coxiella burnetti.

Both C. burnetti and B. pseudomallei are categorized as “Category B bio-terrorism agents by the CDC increasing the importance of including them in the research.

“Our medical readiness is absolutely critical to maintaining an operational capable force, ready to respond to crises and contingencies in the Indo-Pacific region. Our robust medical staff are essential for ensuring the Marines and Sailors of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin are cared for and medically prepared to carry out their duties,” added Banning.

The global pandemic had a significant effect on the study and NMRC included SARS-CovV-2 testing. Pre-COVID, the MRF-D participants arrived and left at the same time. Due to COVID restrictions, the MRF-D participants arrived in waves followed by 14-day quarantine periods creating a challenge for the research team in comparing the different groups. Due to restrictions the team was not permitted to travel to Australia to continue the study there.

“They also have different experiences while they are there. Each rotation usually has elements in a variety of training areas around Australia. Since the pandemic, the MRF-D members are restricted to Darwin and the Northern Territory. It will be difficult to compare results from these rotations to the earlier ones,” said Schully.

[ Read also: Navy Researchers Work to Reduce Risk of Melioidosis Among Deployed Military ]

COVID also presented an additional unique opportunity for the study since the majority of Marines enrolled in February of 2021 were vaccinated with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Due to the timing and age restrictions during the initial vaccine rollout, this provided the researchers the possibility to expand the study platform even further.

“Once they return from Darwin, we will leverage this unique group to examine the magnitude, durability and trajectory of the immune response to the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in this young, healthy American population,” said Schully. While the study team is unable to travel to Australia, pre- and post-deployment activities at the Battalion’s home base in California have allowed the study to continue to follow the 2020 and 2021 rotations.

“The fact that we are able to continue, while it hasn’t been ideal, has been invaluable. Our hope is that 2022 rotation looks more like the pre-pandemic rotations and we can continue. That being said, the 2020 and 2021 rotations have been productive and produced valuable information,” said Schully.

Source: Adapted from Department of Defense via DVIDS

Tags: BurkholderiaC. BurnettiEditor PickINDOPACOMMelioidosisSelect Agents

Related Posts

two soldiers are in head-to-toe hazmat suits with respirator masks while tending to a mannikin on a stretcher
CBRNE

Protection from Biothreats: DOD to Modernize Medical Countermeasures Development

January 10, 2023
Killing Anthrax More Quickly with Hot Air Decontamination
CBRNE

Killing Anthrax More Quickly with Hot Air Decontamination

January 4, 2023
Emergency Response Missions for Recovered Chemical Warfare Material
CBRNE

Emergency Response Missions for Recovered Chemical Warfare Material

March 13, 2022
State Department: Reducing Revisionist State Biological and Chemical Weapons Threats
CBRNE

Research Biologist and Contractor Charged in Bribery Scheme at DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center

February 15, 2022
Load More

Latest News

Biodefense Headlines – 12 March 2023

Biodefense Headlines – 12 March 2023

March 12, 2023
Partner Therapeutics’ Novel Approach to Stratify Sepsis Patients Gains Backing From BARDA

Biopreparedness Research Virtual Environment (BRaVE) Initiative Backed by $105M DOE Funding

January 25, 2023
Influenza Proteins Tilt and Wave in ‘Breath-like’ Motions

Influenza Proteins Tilt and Wave in ‘Breath-like’ Motions

January 25, 2023
Biodefense Headlines – 24 January 2023

Biodefense Headlines – 24 January 2023

January 24, 2023

Subscribe

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Stemar Media Group LLC

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Stemar Media Group LLC

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are okay with it.OkPrivacy policy