Bacteria Genomes - BURKHOLDERIA PSEUDOMALLEI

Burkholderia bacteria are rod-shaped, motile, Gram-negative bacteria that are capable of both pathogenic characteristics and are generally obligately aerobic. Burkholderia bacteria are commonly found in the soil and in groundwater worldwide. Burkholderia and related bacteria have been found at soils of all temperatures including Arctic soil of 7C.

Burkholderia pseudomallei is generally considered a saprophyte (grows on and uses dead or decaying organic matter as an energy source), it causes the infectious disease melioidosis that is mostly restricted to Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and some other tropical and subtropical regions. It also occasionally causes serious invasive diseases like septicemia and pneumonia in susceptible individuals. Although the epidemiology of melioidosis is not yet fully understood, it is thought that infections are contracted by contact with the organism from contaminated ground water (for example, in rice paddies) through puncture wounds, cuts, or abrasions in the skin.

Melioidosis, also called Whitmore's is clinically and pathologically similar to glanders disease, but the ecology and epidemiology of melioidosis are different from glanders. Melioidosis is predominately a disease of tropical climates, especially in Southeast Asia where it is endemic. Illness from melioidosis can be categorised as acute or localised infection, acute pulmonary infection, acute bloodstream infection, and chronic suppurative infection. Inapparent infections are also possible. The incubation period (time between exposure and appearance of clinical symptoms) is not clearly defined, but may range from 2 days to many years. There is no vaccine for melioidosis. Prevention of the infection in endemic-disease areas can be difficult since contact with contaminated soil is so common although most cases of melioidosis can be treated with appropriate antibiotics.

Outside the host, Burkholderia pseudomallei can survive for months in limited nutrients and acidic environments. The production of specialised secondary metabolites and adaptation of complex catabolic pathways and transport systems contribute to this organism's capacity for survival in diverse, competitive environments.

The severe course of infection, aerosol infectivity and worldwide availability of this pathogen has resulted in its inclusion as a potential agent of biological warfare or bioterrorism, and is listed on the Centers for Disease Control list as a Category B bioterrorism agent.

References:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/melioidosis_g.htm#whatis
http://biology.kenyon.edu/Microbial_Biorealm/bacteria/proteobacteria/Burkholderia/Burkholderia.htm
http://www.sanger.ac.uk/Projects/B_pseudomallei/
http://www.tigr.org/pathema/b_pseudomallei.shtml