Burkholderia cepacia: Understanding Pathogenicity, Virulence Factors, and Therapeutic Strategies

  • Muhammad Saeed Institute of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8602-0827
  • Farhan Rasheed Department of Pathology, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore
  • Iqra Jamil University of Central Punjab
  • Muhammad Hidayat Rasool Institute of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad
  • Noore Saba Peshawar Regional Blood Centre, Provincial Department of Health, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
  • Maqsood Ahmad Institute of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad
  • Akhlaaq Wazeer Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science & Technology, Mirpur, AJK
  • Abdul Waheed Department of Allied Health Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad
  • Mohsin Khurshid Institute of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad

Abstract

Burkholderia cepacia, formerly described as Pseudomonas cepacia, belongs to the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), a collection of closely related gram-negative bacteria that is considered a leading organism in causing pulmonary infections in humans. In healthcare settings, Burkholderia species have the ability to colonise medical equipment and surfaces, posing a threat of nosocomial infections. Moreover, they exhibit inherently resistance to various classes of antibiotics, thus being nominated as multi-drug resistant pathogens (MDR), that is why treatment of infections caused by these organisms is challenging. Enzymes such as metalloproteases, serine proteases, metalloproteases, and other extracellular lipases play a major role in its pathogenesis. In addition to this, different components, such as pili, flagella, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), have a role in both the motility of the bacterial cell as well as its adherence to host cells. Identification is usually done with different biochemical reactions such as late oxidase activity, oxidation of glucose, variable lysine decarboxylation, maltose, mannitol, and lactose, and hydrogen sulphide gas production. Advanced techniques like semi-nested PCR, real-time PCR, or MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry enable quick and precise identification.

Key words: Multi-drug resistant, Polymerase chain reaction, Burkholderia cepacia complex, matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation, time of flight mass spectrometry

Author Biographies

Muhammad Saeed, Institute of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad

PhD Scholar Microbiology 
Institute of Microbiology
Government College University, Faisalabad 

Mian.muhsaeed@gmail.com Contact 03013187007

 

Farhan Rasheed, Department of Pathology, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore

MPhil FCPS Microbiology 

Professor of Pathology 

Iqra Jamil, University of Central Punjab

PhD Scholar Microbiology 

lecturer Microbiology Department University of Central Punjab Lahore 

Muhammad Hidayat Rasool , Institute of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad
PhD Microbiology

Professor of Microbiology

Director Institute of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad

Email: drmhrasool@gcuf.edu.pk

Noore Saba, Peshawar Regional Blood Centre, Provincial Department of Health, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Dr. Noor e Saba

MBBS, MPH, MPhil, Fellowship Field Epidemiology

 

Maqsood Ahmad , Institute of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad
PhD Scholar Microbiology

Institute of Microbiology, Government College University Faisalabad

Email: maqsoodahmad64@yahoo.com, Contact 03076265005

Akhlaaq Wazeer, Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science & Technology, Mirpur, AJK
Akhlaaq Wazeer

Mirpur University of Science & Technology/

State TB Reference Laboratory, MoNHS, Regulation & Coordination, Pakistan

Email: akhlaaqwazeer@gmail.com

Abdul Waheed , Department of Allied Health Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad

PhD Scholar Micrbiology

Lecturer,Department of Allied Health Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad

Email: abdulwaheeduhs@gmail.com

Mohsin Khurshid , Institute of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad

PhD Microbiology

Associate Professor Microbiology

Institute of Microbiology, Government College University Faisalabad

Email: mohsinkhurshid@gcuf.edu.pk

Published
2024-04-08
Section
Review Articles