Detection of Burkholderia thailandensis in Soil Samples, Suriname

Melioidosis, caused by the highly lethal pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei, is emerging in North and South America. We studied soil samples in Suriname to determine endemicity of Burkholderia species. B. thailandensis was isolated, but B. pseudomallei was not. A multidisciplinary approach could establish clinical and ecologic distribution of both Burholderia species in Suriname.