Burkholderia is pathogenic.
Burkholderia is a genus of Pseudomonadota whose pathogenic members include the Burkholderia cepacia complex, which attacks humans and Burkholderia mallei, responsible for glanders.
Research has shown that people with CF can get B.
Cepacia from others who are infected with these bacteria.
The germs spread either by direct contact, such as kissing, or indirectly from touching objects with the germs, such as doorknobs.
Burkholderia cepacia complex causes disease in patients with CF especially pneumonia, bacteremia, UTIs, and septic arthritis.
Burkholderia pseudomallei is considered as a bioterrorism agent and causes melioidosis.
Burkholderia mallei is also considered as a selective agent and causes glanders.
The symptoms of B. cepacia, if any, are the same as those for any lung infection and can include fever, cough, congestion, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
Burkholderia organisms are found in soil and water.
The germs can be spread through person-to-person contact.
The initial symptoms may be a low-grade fever, progressing to much more serious conditions, including pneumonia and other lung disorders that can sometimes be deadly.
Antimicrobial agents that are effective against B. epacia complex in vitro include trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ceftazidime, carbapenems, ureidopenicillins, fluoroquinolones, minocyline, and chloramphenicol.
The antibacterial activity of cefoperazone/sulbactam is comparable to that of ceftazidime against B.
Melioidosis is diagnosed by isolating Burkholderia pseudomallei from blood, urine, sputum, skin lesions, or abscesses; or by detecting an antibody response to the bacteria.