II. Pathophysiology
- Burkholderia Cepacia represents a group of at least 24 individual species (genomovars)
- Genomovars are grouped species, phenotypically similar, but genotypically distinct
- Burkholderia species were previously classified under the genus Pseudomonas
-
Aerobic Gram Negative Rod
- Multi-drug resistance (including Topical Antiseptics) is common
- Causes opportunistic infections in susceptible hosts
- Identifying factors
- Oxidase positive
- Non-lactose fermenter
- Grows on selective media with colistin
- Sources
- Water (lakes, rivers, drinking water)
- Soil and crop plants (rhizosphere)
- Plant associated diseases include Onion Rot
- Water-based pharmaceuticals and personal care products
- Intravenous drugs and solutions
- Nasal sprays
- Mouthwash
- Preoperative skin solutions
- Hand sanitizers
- Benzalkonium chloride (BZK) solutions
III. Risk Factors
-
Nosocomial Infection (e.g ICU)
- Burn Injury
- Mechanical Ventilation via endotrcheal tubes
- Urinary Catheters
- Hemodialysis
-
Cystic Fibrosis (highest risk)
- Carrier state
- Bronchiectasis
- Pneumonia (rapid progression)
- Other risks
- Chronic Granulomatous Disease
- Immunocompromised patients
- Elderly
IV. Management: Antibiotics
- Variable Antibiotic susceptibility
- First-Line empiric therapy until cultures with susceptibility
- Alternative empiric therapy
V. References
- Gladwin, Trattler and Mahan (2014) Clinical Microbiology, Medmaster, Fl, p. 93
- Sanford Guide, accessed on IOS 2/2/2025
- Tavares (2020) Clin Microbiol Rev 33(3):e00139-19 +PMID: 32295766 [PubMed]