Glanders is caused by:
**Core Concept**
Glanders is a zoonotic disease caused by a bacterium that affects the respiratory and lymphatic systems of horses and other equines. It is a significant public health concern due to its potential for transmission to humans through contact with infected animals or contaminated materials.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The bacterium that causes glanders is Burkholderia mallei, a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium. B. mallei is highly virulent and can cause severe disease in humans, including pneumonia, septicemia, and lymphangitis. The bacterium is typically acquired through contact with infected horses or their contaminated tissues, and it can also be transmitted through inhalation of infected aerosols.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Pseudomonas aeruginosa is another gram-negative bacterium, but it is not the causative agent of glanders.
**Option B:** Francisella tularensis is the bacterium responsible for tularemia, a different zoonotic disease.
**Option C:** Yersinia pestis is the bacterium that causes plague, a disease with distinct clinical manifestations and transmission routes.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Glanders can be treated with antibiotics, but early diagnosis is crucial due to its high mortality rate if left untreated. Healthcare workers and veterinarians are at risk of contracting glanders, highlighting the importance of proper infection control and personal protective equipment (PPE) in high-risk settings.
**Correct Answer:** C. Yersinia pestis is the bacterium that causes plague, a disease with distinct clinical manifestations and transmission routes.