Unusual Distribution of Burkholderia cepacia Complex Species in Danish Cystic Fibrosis Clinics May Stem from Restricted Transmission between Patients

Abstract

Forty-four of 48 Burkholderia cepacia complex strains cultured from Danish cystic fibrosis patients were Burkholderia multivorans , a distribution of species that has not been reported before. Although cases of cross infections were demonstrated, no major epidemic clone was found. The species distribution may represent the sporadic acquisition of bacteria from the environment.

Mannitol promotes adherence of an outbreak strain of Burkholderia multivorans via an exopolysaccharide-independent mechanism that is associated with upregulation of newly identified fimbrial and afimbrial adhesins

“…A heightened capacity for adherence to mucin may promote colonization of the airways. Epidemiological data indicate that the majority of new cases of B. multivorans infection in CF patients are due to acquisition from environmental sources (Brisse et al, 2004;Coenye & Vandamme, 2003;Govan et al, 2007;Nørskov-Lauritsen et al, 2010), and it is notable that CF isolates of B. multivorans that share the same MLST profile as the environmental ATCC 17616 isolate have been recovered from CF patients (Baldwin et al, 2008).…”

“…As a consequence, B. cenocepacia has received the most research attention, resulting in the identification of numerous putative virulence determinants (recently reviewed by Loutet & Valvano, 2010). However, B. multivorans has surpassed B. cenocepacia in incidence of respiratory infection amongst CF patients in the USA (LiPuma, 2010) and several European countries (Brisse et al, 2004;Coenye & Vandamme, 2003;Govan et al, 2007;Nørskov-Lauritsen et al, 2010), and in comparison with B. cenocepacia, very little is known about the virulence mechanisms and strategies used by B. multivorans within the CF host.…”

Treatment of lung infection in patients with cystic fibrosis: Current and future strategies

“…Due to its high virulence, effective antibiotics to treat Bcc-infected CF patients are urgently needed [124]. Few trials have systematically examined the antibiotic treatment of Bcc infection in CF patients.…”

Clinical Significance of Microbial Infection and Adaptation in Cystic Fibrosis

“…Spread even to individuals who did not have CF occurred (272). Stringent adherence to infection control practices have decreased but not eliminated the prevalence of BCC infections in CF patients (451,489); it is now felt that a substantial proportion of the remaining BCC infections are acquired directly from the natural environment (427). Unlike S. aureus and H. influenzae infections, BCC infections usually occur later in the course of CF pulmonary disease (Fig.…”