Burkholderia: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:17, 16 February 2025

A genus of proteobacteria

Burkholderia is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria that are found in a variety of environmental niches. This genus is known for its metabolic versatility and ability to degrade a wide range of organic compounds. Burkholderia species are of significant interest in both environmental and clinical contexts.

Characteristics[edit]

Burkholderia species are aerobic and motile, possessing flagella for movement. They are rod-shaped and can be found in soil, water, and as plant pathogens. Some species are known for their ability to fix nitrogen, making them important in agriculture.

Pathogenicity[edit]

Several species within the Burkholderia genus are known to be pathogenic to humans and animals. The most notable pathogenic species include:

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, a disease endemic in tropical regions.
Burkholderia mallei, responsible for glanders, primarily affecting horses but can also infect humans.
Burkholderia cepacia complex, a group of species that can cause respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis patients.

Environmental Role[edit]

Burkholderia species play a crucial role in the environment due to their ability to degrade pollutants. They are involved in the bioremediation of contaminated soils and water. Their metabolic diversity allows them to break down complex organic compounds, including pesticides and herbicides.

Biotechnological Applications[edit]

The genus Burkholderia is of interest in biotechnology due to its potential in biocontrol and bioremediation. Some species are used as biopesticides to control plant diseases, while others are explored for their ability to produce antibiotics and other bioactive compounds.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Burkholderia''' is a genus of [[Gram-negative]] bacteria that encompasses a wide range of species, some of which are pathogenic to humans, animals, and plants, while others are beneficial, particularly in environmental and biotechnological applications. The genus was previously known as part of the ''[[Pseudomonas]]'' genus but was reclassified due to significant differences in their [[genetics]], biochemistry, and ecology.
+{{Short description|A genus of proteobacteria}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = ''Burkholderia''
+| image = Burkholderia_pseudomallei_01.jpg
+| image_caption = ''Burkholderia pseudomallei''
+| domain = [[Bacteria]]
+| phylum = [[Proteobacteria]]
+| classis = [[Betaproteobacteria]]
+| ordo = [[Burkholderiales]]
+| familia = [[Burkholderiaceae]]
+| genus = '''''Burkholderia'''''
+}}
+'''''Burkholderia''''' is a genus of [[Gram-negative]] [[bacteria]] that are found in a variety of environmental niches. This genus is known for its metabolic versatility and ability to degrade a wide range of organic compounds. ''Burkholderia'' species are of significant interest in both environmental and clinical contexts.
 ==Characteristics==
-Burkholderia species are characterized by their versatile metabolic capabilities, allowing them to inhabit diverse environments, from soil and water to the rhizosphere of plants. They are obligate or facultative aerobes, capable of utilizing a wide range of organic compounds as energy sources. Their cells are typically rod-shaped, and many species form colonies with distinctive colors due to the production of pigments.
+''Burkholderia'' species are [[aerobic]] and [[motile]], possessing [[flagella]] for movement. They are [[rod-shaped]] and can be found in soil, water, and as plant pathogens. Some species are known for their ability to fix nitrogen, making them important in [[agriculture]].
-==Pathogenic Species==
-Among the Burkholderia genus, several species are notable for their pathogenicity.
-* ''[[Burkholderia cepacia]]'' complex (Bcc) is a group of closely related species known for causing life-threatening infections in individuals with [[cystic fibrosis]] (CF) and chronic granulomatous disease. The Bcc is highly resistant to antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat.
-* ''[[Burkholderia mallei]]'' is the causative agent of glanders, a disease primarily affecting horses but can also infect humans, leading to severe pulmonary and systemic infections.
-* ''[[Burkholderia pseudomallei]]'' causes melioidosis, a disease that can range from chronic infection to acute sepsis, affecting humans and animals. It is endemic in tropical regions, such as Southeast Asia and Northern Australia.
-==Beneficial Species==
+==Pathogenicity==
-Conversely, some Burkholderia species are beneficial:
+Several species within the ''Burkholderia'' genus are known to be pathogenic to humans and animals. The most notable pathogenic species include:
-* ''[[Burkholderia phytofirmans]]'' and other species are known for promoting plant growth by facilitating nutrient acquisition and providing protection against pathogens.
+* '''''[[Burkholderia pseudomallei]]''''', the causative agent of [[melioidosis]], a disease endemic in tropical regions.
-* Certain Burkholderia species are involved in bioremediation processes, breaking down pollutants in soil and water, including heavy metals and organic pollutants.
+* '''''[[Burkholderia mallei]]''''', responsible for [[glanders]], primarily affecting horses but can also infect humans.
+* '''''[[Burkholderia cepacia complex]]''''', a group of species that can cause respiratory infections in [[cystic fibrosis]] patients.
-==Diagnosis and Treatment==
+==Environmental Role==
-Diagnosis of Burkholderia infections involves culture techniques and molecular methods to identify the specific species and determine antibiotic susceptibility. Treatment is challenging due to the intrinsic resistance of many Burkholderia species to common antibiotics. Combination antibiotic therapy is often required, and the choice of antibiotics depends on the species involved and the infection site.
+''Burkholderia'' species play a crucial role in the environment due to their ability to degrade pollutants. They are involved in the [[bioremediation]] of contaminated soils and water. Their metabolic diversity allows them to break down complex organic compounds, including [[pesticides]] and [[herbicides]].
-==Prevention==
+==Biotechnological Applications==
-Preventive measures against Burkholderia infections include strict infection control practices in healthcare settings, especially for vulnerable populations such as CF patients. Environmental monitoring and control are also crucial in preventing the spread of pathogenic species.
+The genus ''Burkholderia'' is of interest in [[biotechnology]] due to its potential in [[biocontrol]] and [[bioremediation]]. Some species are used as [[biopesticides]] to control plant diseases, while others are explored for their ability to produce [[antibiotics]] and other bioactive compounds.
-==Research and Biotechnology==
+==Related pages==
-Research on Burkholderia species continues to uncover their roles in ecosystems, their potential in biotechnological applications, and strategies to combat infections. Their metabolic versatility makes them candidates for bioremediation, biopesticides, and the production of biopolymers and enzymes.
+* [[Proteobacteria]]
+* [[Bioremediation]]
+* [[Melioidosis]]
+* [[Cystic fibrosis]]
-[[Category:Bacteria]]
+[[Category:Burkholderiaceae]]
-[[Category:Gram-negative bacteria]]
+[[Category:Proteobacteria]]
-{{Bacteria-stub}}
-{{No image}}