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Coulon PML, Agnoli K, Myers GSA. Colony morphotype variation in Burkholderia: implications for success of applications and therapeutics. J Bacteriol 2025; 207:e0052124. [PMID: 40227106 PMCID: PMC12096841 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00521-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2025] Open
Abstract
The Burkholderia genus includes both environmental and pathogenic isolates known for their phenotypic plasticity and adaptability. Burkholderia spp. are intrinsically resistant to many antibiotics, often requiring prolonged therapies during infection. A key feature of Burkholderia spp. is colony morphotype variation (CMV), which allows for rapid adaptation to environmental changes and influences virulence, antibiotic resistance, and pathogenicity by impacting the expression of key virulence factors such as lipopolysaccharides, extracellular DNA, efflux pumps, and flagella. While alternative treatments, such as vaccines and phage therapies, hold promise, CMV has the potential to undermine their efficacy by modifying essential therapeutic targets. Despite its importance, the prevalence and underlying mechanisms of CMV remain poorly understood, leaving critical gaps in our knowledge that may hinder the development of sustainable solutions for managing Burkholderia infections. Addressing these gaps is crucial not only for improving infection management but also for enabling the safe reuse of Burkholderia in biotechnology, where their plant growth-promoting and bioremediation properties are highly valuable. Our goal is to raise awareness within the scientific community about the significance of CMV in Burkholderia, highlighting the urgent need to uncover the mechanisms driving CMV. A deeper understanding of CMV's role in virulence and resistance is essential to developing robust, long-term therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline M. L. Coulon
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kirsty Agnoli
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Garry S. A. Myers
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Cote CK, Mlynek KD, Klimko CP, Biryukov SS, Mou S, Hunter M, Rill NO, Dankmeyer JL, Miller JA, Talyansky Y, Davies ML, Meinig JM, Halasohoris SA, Gray AM, Spencer JL, Babyak AL, Hourihan MK, Curry BJ, Toothman RG, Ruiz SI, Zeng X, Ricks KM, Clements TL, Douglas CE, Ravulapalli S, Stefan CP, Shoemaker CJ, Elrod MG, Gee JE, Weiner ZP, Qiu J, Bozue JA, Twenhafel NA, DeShazer D. Virulence of Burkholderia pseudomallei ATS2021 Unintentionally Imported to United States in Aromatherapy Spray. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:2056-2069. [PMID: 39320153 PMCID: PMC11431913 DOI: 10.3201/eid3010.240084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In the United States in 2021, an outbreak of 4 cases of Burkholderia pseudomallei, the etiologic agent of melioidosis and a Tier One Select Agent (potential for deliberate misuse and subsequent harm), resulted in 2 deaths. The causative strain, B. pseudomallei ATS2021, was unintentionally imported into the United States in an aromatherapy spray manufactured in India. We established that ATS2021 represents a virulent strain of B. pseudomallei capable of robust formation of biofilm at physiologic temperatures that may contribute to virulence. By using mouse melioidosis models, we determined median lethal dose estimates and analyzed the bacteriologic and histopathologic characteristics of the organism, particularly the potential neurologic pathogenesis that is probably associated with the bimABm allele identified in B. pseudomallei strain ATS2021. Our data, combined with previous case reports and the identification of endemic B. pseudomallei strains in Mississippi, support the concept that melioidosis is emerging in the United States.
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Laklaeng SN, Phu DH, Songsri J, Wisessombat S, Mala W, Senghoi W, Phothaworn P, Nuinoon M, Wongtawan T, Klangbud WK. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the global prevalence and relationships among Burkholderia pseudomallei sequence types isolated from humans, animals, and the environment. Vet World 2024; 17:26-36. [PMID: 38406370 PMCID: PMC10884566 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.26-36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Burkholderia pseudomallei, a highly pathogenic bacterium responsible for melioidosis, exhibits ecological ubiquity and thrives within soil and water reservoirs, posing significant infection risks to humans and animals through direct contact. The aim of this study was to elucidate the genetic diversity and prevalence patterns of B. pseudomallei sequence types (STs) across a global spectrum and to understand the relationships between strains isolated from different sources. Materials and Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis in this study. Extensive research was carried out across three comprehensive databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect with data collected from 1924 to 2023. Results A total of 40 carefully selected articles contributed 2737 B. pseudomallei isolates attributed to 729 distinct STs and were incorporated into the systematic review. Among these, ST46 emerged as the most prominent, featuring in 35% of the articles and demonstrating a dominant prevalence, particularly within Southeast Asia. Moreover, ST51 consistently appeared across human, animal, and environmental studies. Subsequently, we performed a meta-analysis, focusing on nine specific STs: ST46, ST51, ST54, ST70, ST84, ST109, ST289, ST325, and ST376. Surprisingly, no statistically significant differences in their pooled prevalence proportions were observed across these compartments for ST46, ST70, ST289, ST325, and ST376 (all p > 0.69). Conversely, the remaining STs, including ST51, ST54, ST84, and ST109, displayed notable variations in their prevalence among the three domains (all p < 0.04). Notably, the pooled prevalence of ST51 in animals and environmental samples surpassed that found in human isolates (p < 0.01). Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the intricate relationships between STs and their sources and contributes significantly to our understanding of B. pseudomallei diversity within the One Health framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sa-ngob Laklaeng
- College of Graduate Studies, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Doan Hoang Phu
- College of Graduate Studies, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Jirarat Songsri
- Center of Excellence in Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Sueptrakool Wisessombat
- Center of Excellence in Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Wanida Mala
- Center of Excellence in Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Wilaiwan Senghoi
- Center of Excellence in Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Preeda Phothaworn
- Center of Excellence in Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Manit Nuinoon
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Tuempong Wongtawan
- Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Wiyada Kwanhian Klangbud
- Center of Excellence in Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
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Berrios L. Examining the genomic features of human and plant-associated Burkholderia strains. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:335. [PMID: 35587294 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-02953-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Humans and plants have evolved in the near omnipresence of a microbial milieu, and the factors that govern host-microbe interactions continue to require scientific exploration. To better understand if and to what degree patterns between microbial genomic features and host association (i.e., human and plant) exist, I analyzed the genomes of select Burkholderia strains-a bacterial genus comprised of both human and plant-associated strains-that were isolated from either humans or plants. To this end, I uncovered host-specific, genomic patterns related to metabolic pathway potentials in addition to convergent features that may be related to pathogenic overlap between hosts. Together, these findings detail the genomic associations of human and plant-associated Burkholderia strains and provide a framework for future investigations that seek to link host-host transmission potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Berrios
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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Mou S, Jenkins CC, Okaro U, Dhummakupt ES, Mach PM, DeShazer D. The Burkholderia pseudomallei hmqA-G Locus Mediates Competitive Fitness against Environmental Gram-Positive Bacteria. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0010221. [PMID: 34160272 PMCID: PMC8552763 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00102-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei is an opportunistic pathogen that is responsible for the disease melioidosis in humans and animals. The microbe is a tier 1 select agent because it is highly infectious by the aerosol route, it is inherently resistant to multiple antibiotics, and no licensed vaccine currently exists. Naturally acquired infections result from contact with contaminated soil or water sources in regions of endemicity. There have been few reports investigating the molecular mechanism(s) utilized by B. pseudomallei to survive and persist in ecological niches harboring microbial competitors. Here, we report the isolation of Gram-positive bacteria from multiple environmental sources and show that ∼45% of these isolates are inhibited by B. pseudomallei in head-to-head competition assays. Two competition-deficient B. pseudomallei transposon mutants were identified that contained insertion mutations in the hmqA-G operon. This large biosynthetic gene cluster encodes the enzymes that produce a family of secondary metabolites called 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkylquinolines (HMAQs). Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry conducted on filter-sterilized culture supernatants revealed five HMAQs and N-oxide derivatives that were produced by the parental strain but were absent in an isogenic hmqD deletion mutant. The results demonstrate that B. pseudomallei inhibits the growth of environmental Gram-positive bacteria in a contact-independent manner via the production of HMAQs by the hmqA-G operon. IMPORTANCE Burkholderia pseudomallei naturally resides in water, soil, and the rhizosphere and its success as an opportunistic pathogen is dependent on the ability to persist in these harsh habitats long enough to come into contact with a susceptible host. In addition to adapting to limiting nutrients and diverse chemical and physical challenges, B. pseudomallei also has to interact with a variety of microbial competitors. Our research shows that one of the ways in which B. pseudomallei competes with Gram-positive environmental bacteria is by exporting a diverse array of closely related antimicrobial secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherry Mou
- Foundational Sciences Directorate, Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Conor C. Jenkins
- Excet Inc., Springfield, Virginia, USA
- DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Udoka Okaro
- Foundational Sciences Directorate, Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Phillip M. Mach
- DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - David DeShazer
- Foundational Sciences Directorate, Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
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