MALLEIN Meaning and
Definition
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Mallein is a term used in veterinary medicine and refers to a bacterial antigenic extract called malleinum that is derived from a culture of Burkholderia mallei, formerly known as Pseudomonas mallei. Mallein is primarily used as a diagnostic tool to test for glanders, a contagious and potentially fatal bacterial infection that affects horses, donkeys, and other equines.
Glanders is caused by Burkholderia mallei bacteria, which can also infect humans. The mallein test involves injecting the purified mallein antigen into the suspected infected animal's eyelid or skin to elicit an immune response. If the animal has been exposed to the bacteria, a localized reaction will occur at the site of injection. This reaction can manifest as swelling, redness, or the formation of a lump. The severity of the reaction can provide valuable information about the stage and extent of the disease.
The mallein test is highly specific for glanders and is considered the gold standard diagnostic tool. It is essential for accurate diagnosis, disease monitoring, and surveillance. Additionally, mallein is crucial for the control and prevention of glanders as it helps identify infected animals that may serve as sources of infection. Although glanders is a rare disease in many countries due to stringent control measures, the use of mallein remains critical in areas where the disease still poses a threat.
In conclusion, mallein is a bacterial antigenic extract derived from Burkholderia mallei used to diagnose glanders in equines. It is an essential tool for disease control and prevention in veterinary medicine.
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A glycerin extract of a culture of the glanders bacillus (B. mallei), employed in the diagnosis of glanders, a rise of temperature and tumefaction at the site of injection denoting a positive reaction.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MALLEIN
- malin
- malen
- malain
- malien
- mallin
- maelin
- mallen
- nallein
- kallein
- jallein
- mzllein
- msllein
- maklein
- maplein
- maolein
- malkein
- malpein
- maloein
- mallwin
- mallsin
Etymology of MALLEIN
The word "mallein" is derived from the Latin term "mallēus", which means "hammer". It is connected to the Latin medical term "malleus", also meaning "hammer". The term "mallein" was specifically coined in the late 1800s by a German veterinarian named Friedrich Löffler. He developed a bacterial extract used for diagnosing and treating glanders in horses, which he named "mallein" due to its perceived ability to strike and combat the disease similar to a hammer.
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