Burkholderia Cepacia Complex Infection Research Articles

Clinical outcome following lung transplantation in patients with cystic fibrosis colonised with Burkholderia cepacia complex: results from two French centres

Background:Infection with Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is a life threatening complication of cystic fibrosis (CF), often seen as a contraindication for lung transplantation.Methods:A long term retrospective study was conducted of...

Simultaneous coinfection by multiple strains during Burkholderia cepacia complex infection in cystic fibrosis

Much remains unknown about the natural history of respiratory tract infection by Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) in persons with cystic fibrosis (CF). Specifically, it is not clear whether infected CF patients typically harbor a single Bcc strain or multiple strains that may be phenotypically indistinguishable. We genotyped 912 Bcc isolates recovered from CF sputum culture from in excess of 100 patients to demonstrate that chronic infection generally involves a single strain. Transient coinfection with more than 1 strain occurs infrequently and may be more common early in the course of Bcc infection.

Update on the Burkholderia cepacia complex

The Burkholderia cepacia complex is comprised of a group of related bacterial species that are capable of causing life-threatening respiratory tract infection in persons with cystic fibrosis. This article reviews advances in our understanding of Burkholderia cepacia complex infection in cystic fibrosis, focusing on the taxonomy, clinical microbiology, and epidemiology, as well as the natural history and clinical outcomes associated with Burkholderia cepacia complex infection. Each of the nine species of the Burkholderia cepacia complex has now received a formal species name. These names are the preferred nomenclature, replacing the former 'genomovar' designations. Studies from several countries reiterate that two species, Burkholderia cenocepacia and Burkholderia multivorans, account for most Burkholderia cepacia complex infection in cystic fibrosis. Bacterial genotyping studies indicate that specific Burkholderia cepacia complex strains infect multiple cystic fibrosis patients, implying that they may have an enhanced capacity for interpatient spread. Emerging clinical outcomes data suggest that at least some of these so-called transmissible or epidemic strains are also more virulent in the cystic fibrosis host. Ongoing research is aimed at gaining a better understanding of Burkholderia cepacia complex ecology, defining Burkholderia cepacia complex virulence factors and pathogenic mechanisms, and determining the relative virulence of distinct strains. Significant advances in our understanding of the Burkholderia cepacia complex serve as a critical foundation for further efforts that ultimately will enable better infection control and the development of novel therapeutics to treat Burkholderia cepacia complex infection in persons with cystic fibrosis.

Clinical outcome of Burkholderia cepacia complex infection in cystic fibrosis adults

Background: The Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is one of the most important groups of organisms infecting cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The aim of the study was to examine how infection with BCC affects clinical outcome. Methods: Nineteen CF adults infected with BCC and 19 controls infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa were studied over a 4-year period. The best forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1) and body mass index (BMI) for each year were recorded and annual rate of decline calculated. Results: The BCC infected group displayed a significantly greater reduction of FEV 1 and BMI compared to the P. aeruginosa infected group ( p=0.001 and p=0.009, respectively). Sixteen patients infected with a single Burkholderia cenocepacia strain had a significantly greater rate of FEV 1 decline compared to those infected with Burkholderia multivorans ( n=3) or P. aeruginosa ( p=0.01 and p<0.0001, respectively). The rate of BMI decline was significantly greater in patients infected with B. cenocepacia compared to those with P. aeruginosa ( p=0.007), but not significantly different in those with B. multivorans ( p=0.29). Conclusion: BCC infection is associated with an accelerated decline in pulmonary function and BMI. Infection with a single B. cenocepacia strain was associated with a more rapid decline in lung function than those infected with either B. multivorans or P. aeruginosa.

Burkholderia cepacia complex infection in patients with cystic fibrosis

Burkholderia cepacia complex infection in patients with cystic fibrosis

Preventing Burkholderia cepacia complex infection in cystic fibrosis: Is there a middle ground?

Preventing Burkholderia cepacia complex infection in cystic fibrosis: Is there a middle ground?

Risk factors for Burkholderia cepacia complex colonization and infection among patients with cystic fibrosis

Objectives: To determine risk factors for acquiring Burkholderia cepacia complex among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Study design: A case-control study was conducted with active surveillance for B cepacia complex colonization/infection among patients at 21 CF centers from April 1986 to March 1989 (study period). A case-patient was defined as any CF patient with B cepacia complex colonization for the first time during the study period. Control patients were patients with CF not B cepacia complex colonized during the study period. For each patient, a questionnaire was completed semiannually. Results: In multivariate analyses, hospitalization for pulmonary exacerbations, living with a B cepacia complex-positive person, attending a CF summer camp, and direct contact with a B cepacia complex-colonized CF person outside of camp and home were associated with B cepacia complex acquisition. Receiving antimicrobial aerosol therapy or cleaning and drying a home-used nebulizer between uses were associated with a decrease in B cepacia complex acquisition. Conclusions: Numerous factors inside and outside the health care setting are associated with person-to-person transmission of B cepacia complex among patients with CF. Prevention programs should reduce direct or indirect contact between noncolonized and B cepacia complex-colonized/infected patients with CF. (J Pediatr 2002;141:512-7)

Burkholderia cepacia complex infection in patients with cystic fibrosis.

The word 'complex' has several meanings and synonyms such as composite, obsession, heterogeneous, mixed and network, can all be used in its place. Our obsession with bacteria from the Burkholderia cepacia complex started in the early 1990s. In less than 10 years, we have seen the status of this bacterium move from: (i) a lesser known pseudomonad opportunist pathogen, (ii) to devastating infections transmitted between patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), (iii) through divisions into several new species, and (iv) now on towards one of the largest gram-negative genome sequencing projects. For microbiologists, hospital infection control officers, caregivers, and most of all the CF community, the changes in our understanding of the taxonomy, epidemiology and pathogenesis of the bacterium 'B. cepacia' are complex.