Burkholderia cepacia complex
Burkholderia cepacia complex
The Burkholderia cepacia complex (pronounced: burk-hol-de-ree-uh se-pay-shuh com-plex) is a group of Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that are commonly found in the environment, particularly in soil and water.
Etymology
The name Burkholderia cepacia was given in honor of Walter Burkholder, a plant pathologist who first isolated the bacterium. The term "complex" is used to denote the fact that this group comprises at least 20 different species, all of which share very similar genetic and phenotypic characteristics.
Description
Members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex are known for their ability to degrade a wide range of organic compounds and for their resistance to many common antibiotics. They are opportunistic pathogens, meaning they can cause disease in individuals with weakened immune systems or with chronic lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or chronic granulomatous disease. Infections caused by these bacteria can be difficult to treat due to their high level of antibiotic resistance.
Related Terms
- Gram-negative bacteria: A group of bacteria that do not retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining method of bacterial differentiation.
- Rod-shaped bacteria: Bacteria that are cylindrical in shape.
- Opportunistic pathogens: Organisms that typically do not cause disease in a healthy host but can cause infections in individuals with a weakened immune system.
- Cystic fibrosis: A genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestine.
- Chronic granulomatous disease: A diverse group of hereditary diseases in which the immune system has difficulty forming granulomas.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Burkholderia cepacia complex
- Wikipedia's article - Burkholderia cepacia complex
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