 | This articlemay beconfusing or unclear to readers. In particular, it confuses the complex (which is described by text) with the species (which is described by the infobox). Please helpclarify the article. There is a discussion about this onTalk:Burkholderia cepacia complex § B. cepacia.(October 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Burkholderia cepacia complex | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species complex: | B. cepacia complex |
Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is aspecies complex consisting ofBurkholderia cepacia and at least 20 different biochemically similar species ofGram-negativebacteria. They arecatalase-producing andlactose-nonfermenting.[1] Members of BCC are opportunistic human pathogens that most often causepneumonia inimmunocompromised individuals with underlying lung disease (such ascystic fibrosis orchronic granulomatous disease).[2] Patients with sickle-cellhaemoglobinopathies are also at risk. The species complex also attacks youngonion andtobacco plants, and displays a remarkable ability to digestoil.
| Burkholderia cepacia | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Kingdom: | Pseudomonadati |
| Phylum: | Pseudomonadota |
| Class: | Betaproteobacteria |
| Order: | Burkholderiales |
| Family: | Burkholderiaceae |
| Genus: | Burkholderia |
| Species: | B. cepacia |
| Binomial name | |
| Burkholderia cepacia (Palleroni and Holmes 1981) Yabuuchi et al. 1993 | |
| Type strain | |
| * ATCC 25416[3][a] | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The group includesB. cepacia,B. multivorans,B. cenocepacia,B. vietnamiensis,B. stabilis,B. ambifaria,B. dolosa,B. anthina,B. pyrrocinia andB. ubonensis, among other species.[1]
BCC is resistant to a number of common disinfectants, specificallypovidone-iodine,triclosan,chlorohexidine,cetylpyridinium chloride, and quaternary ammoniums such asbenzalkonium chloride. Concentrations used as preservatives in water-based pharmaceutical products are often not enough to kill BCC or even stop it from proliferating.[5] Even higher-concentration versions of these biocides intended for disinfection, such as povidone-iodine solution for wound dressing and benzonium chloride wipes, may harbor live BCC if not sterilized using another method.[6][7]
Burkholderia cepacia is also found in marine environments (marine sponges) and some strains ofBurkholderia cepacia can tolerate high salinity.[8] S.I. Paul et al. (2021)[8] isolated and biochemically characterized salt tolerant strains ofBurkholderia cepacia from marine sponges ofSaint Martin's Island of theBay of Bengal,Bangladesh.[8]
BCC organisms are typically found in water and soil and can survive for prolonged periods in moist environments. They show a relatively poorvirulence. Virulence factors include adherence to plastic surfaces (including those of medical devices) and production of several enzymes such aselastase andgelatinase. Also relevant might be their ability to survive attacks fromneutrophils.[9]
Person-to-person spread has been documented; as a result, many hospitals, clinics, and camps have enacted strict isolation precautions for those infected with BCC. Infected individuals are often treated in a separate area from uninfected patients to limit spread, since BCC infection can lead to a rapid decline inlung function and result in death.[10]
BCC infection is a contraindication for lung transplantation and cystic fibrosis patients infected with BCC may be excluded from transplantation due to the increased mortality.[11] Additionally, lung transplant recipients infected withB. cenocepacia are six times more likely to die within a year of transplantation than those infected with other BCC organisms.[12]
Diagnosis of BCC involvesculturing the bacteria from clinical specimens, such assputum or blood. BCC organisms are naturally resistant to many commonantibiotics, includingaminoglycosides andpolymyxin B.[13] and this fact is exploited in the identification of the organism. The organism is usually cultured inBurkholderia cepacia agar (BC agar), which containscrystal violet and bile salts to inhibit the growth of Gram-positive cocci, andticarcillin andpolymyxin B to inhibit the growth of other Gram-negative bacilli. It also containsphenol red pH indicator which turns pink when it reacts with alkaline byproducts generated by the bacteria when it grows.[citation needed]
Alternatively, oxidation-fermentation polymyxin-bacitracin-lactose (OFPBL) agar can be used. OFPBL containspolymyxin (which kills most Gram-negative bacteria, includingPseudomonas aeruginosa) andbacitracin (which kills most Gram-positive bacteria andNeisseria species).[14][15] It also containslactose, and organisms such as BCC that do not ferment lactose turn the pH indicator yellow, which helps to distinguish it from other organisms that may grow on OFPBL agar, such asCandida species,Pseudomonas fluorescens, andStenotrophomonas species.[citation needed]
Treatment typically includes multiple antibiotics and may includeceftazidime,minocycline,piperacillin,meropenem,chloramphenicol, andtrimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole(co-trimoxazole).[13][16] Although co-trimoxazole has been generally considered the drug of choice forB. cepacia infections, ceftazidime, minocycline, piperacillin, and meropenem are considered to be viable alternative options in cases where co-trimoxazole cannot be administered because of hypersensitivity reactions, intolerance, or resistance.[17] Newer beta-lactam / beta-lactamase combinations likeceftazidime-avibactam orceftolozane-tazobactam can also be effective.[16] BCC intrinsically resistant tocolistin and usually resistant toaminoglycosides.[18]
In people with cystic fibrosis, evidence is insufficient about the effectiveness of long-term antibiotic treatment with continuous inhaledaztreonam lysine (AZLI) in terms of lung function or chest infections.[19]
B. cepacia was discovered byWalter Burkholder in 1949 as the cause of onion skin rot, and first described as a humanpathogen in the 1950s.[20] It was first isolated in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) in 1977, when it was known asPseudomonas cepacia.[21] In the 1980s, outbreaks ofB. cepacia in individuals with CF were associated with a 35% death rate.B. cepacia has a largegenome, containing twice the amount of genetic material asE. coli.[citation needed]
On 8 August 2025 a voluntary recall was issued byDermaRite Industries for certain of its hand soap products contaminated with the bacteria complex (exact species not specified); risk ofsepsis in theimmunocompromised was particularly noted.[22][23]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link){{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link){{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)