Burkholderia cenocepacia
| Burkholderia cenocepacia | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Proteobacteria |
| Class: | Betaproteobacteria |
| Order: | Burkholderiales |
| Family: | Burkholderiaceae |
| Genus: | Burkholderia |
| Species: | B. cenocepacia |
| Binomial name | |
|
Burkholderia cenocepacia Vandamme et al. 2003 |
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Burkholderia cenocepacia is a species of Gram-negative bacteria that is common in the environment, can form a biofilm with itself, is resistant to many antibiotics and may cause disease in plants.
It is an opportunistic pathogen and human infections are common in patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic granulomatous disease, and are often fatal. In cystic fibrosis, it can cause "cepacia syndrome" which is characterized by a rapidly progressive fever, uncontrolled bronchopneumonia, weight loss, and possibly death. A review of B. cenocepacia in respiratory infections of cystic fibrosis patients stated that "one of the most threatening pathogens in [cystic fibrosis] is Burkholderia cenocepacia, a member of a bacterial group collectively referred to as the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc)".
Originally defined as B. cepacia, the group has now been split into nine species, and B. cenocepacia is one of the most intensively-studied.
In addition, the strong environmental protection response of B. cenocepacia is attributed to the biofilm formed by groups of the organism,. This biofilm contains exopolysaccharides (abbreviated EPS) that strengthen the bacterium's resistance to antibiotics. The biofilm exopolysaccharides acted as a barrier to neutrophils from human immune resistance systems, undermining the neutrophil defense action by inhibiting chemotaxis and reducing the production of reactive oxygen species
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