Glanders infection model. Model of the head of a person infected with glanders. Glanders is a serious infectious disease caused by Burkholderia mallei bacteria. It occurs primarily in horses, mules and donkeys, but can be transmitted to humans by direct contact with infected animals. It causes nodular lesions in the lungs and ulceration of the mucous membranes in the upper respiratory tract. Photographed in the museum of the National Veterinary School of Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France.