Pathogenicity, virulence factors, and strategies to fight against Burkholderia cepacia complex pathogens and related species

Abstract

The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a group of 17 closely related species of the beta-proteobacteria subdivision that emerged in the 1980s as important human pathogens, especially to patients suffering from cystic fibrosis. Since then, a remarkable progress has been achieved on the taxonomy and molecular identification of these bacteria. Although some progress have been achieved on the knowledge of the pathogenesis traits and virulence factors used by these bacteria, further work envisaging the identification of potential targets for the scientifically based design of new therapeutic strategies is urgently needed, due to the very difficult eradication of these bacteria with available therapies. An overview of these aspects of Bcc pathogenesis and opportunities for the design of future therapies is presented and discussed in this work.

The Second RNA Chaperone, Hfq2, Is Also Required for Survival under Stress and Full Virulence of Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315

“…More recently, these pathogens have also been recognized as important threats to hospitalized patients suffering from other diseases (18,35).…”

MtvR Is a Global Small Noncoding Regulatory RNA in Burkholderia cenocepacia

“…Bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) are an exception, as they are among the few prokaryotes harboring two distinct genes encoding Hfq proteins in their genomes (6,7). The Bcc is a group of life-threatening pathogens for cystic fibrosis patients and for hospitalized patients suffering from other diseases (8)(9)(10)(11). Very little is known about the possible biological roles played by sRNAs from Bcc bacteria.…”

A rare case of community acquired Burkholderia cepacia infection presenting as pyopneumothorax in an immunocompetent individual

“…These factors help in host cell attachment, invasion, intracellular survival and virulence regulation. The production of lipase also plays a role in invasion of lung epithelial cells [5,6] . The multiresistance of B. cepacia bacteria appears to result from various efflux pumps that efficiently remove antibiotics from the cell.…”

“…The B. cepacia complex is a group of phenotypically similar, genetically distinct, motile gram-negative aerobic bacilli with multi-trichous polar flagella found in both soil and water [1][2][3][4][5][6] . There are at least 15 species within this complex [5] .…”