Mallein test

The mallein test is a sensitive and specific clinical test for glanders. Glanders is a bacterial disease which is common in equids such as horses, donkeys, or mules. This test is an allergic hypersensitivity test used as a diagnosis for glanders. It is caused by a bacteria called Burkholderia mallei, which is contagious for humans and other species. The occurrence of glanders must be reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health. Mallein, a protein fraction of the glanders organism (Burkholderia mallei), is usually injected by an eye-drop. If an animal is infected, the animal will show swelling in the eye from around 48 hours of injection and may be accompanied by secretion and conjunctivitis. Mallein is non toxic to normal animals.