Homogeneous Assays for the Rapid PCR detection of Burkholderia pseudomallei 16S rRNA gene on a Real-Time Fluorometric Capillary Thermocycler

Abstract

Burkholderia pseudomallei causes a serious infection, melioidosis, in humans, mammals and birds. It is found in the soil and surface water in South East Asia and northern Australia, where human melioidosis is endemic. Sporadic cases of melioidosis have been reported in many regions including Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Europe, Central and South America. The high mortality of this infection is reflected by case fatality rates of 20–60%. Human melioidosis can progress rapidly over hours or persist chronically over decades, and may manifest either as localised skin, hepatosplenic or pulmonary abscesses or as a disseminated septicaemia. It is for these reasons that methods for the early detection of this Gram-negative bacterium are important in clinical diagnosis and management of patients. Laboratory tests for B. pseudomallei are also important for epidemiological surveillance, public health, veterinary medicine and environmental studies.