Burkholderia cepacia complex genomovars: utilization of carbon sources, susceptibility to antimicrobial agents and growth on selective media.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between genomovar status and carbon source utilization, antibiotic susceptibility and growth ability on selective media of 142 clinical and environmental Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) isolates belonging to all nine genomovars.


RESULTS
Carbon source utilization and growth on selective media were tested by agar plate multipoint inoculation. Antimicrobial minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined by agar dilution. Of all carbon sources, l-arabinose was most frequently utilized, supporting growth of 90% of all isolates. Burkholderia cepacia genomovar VI failed to utilize azelaic acid, penicillin G, phtalate, salicin and tryptamine. Overall, B. vietnamiensis and B. anthina were most susceptible and B. cepacia genomovar VI most resistant to antimicrobial agents. Burkholderia cepacia selective agar (BCSA) and the Mast B. cepacia medium supported growth of Bcc isolates most efficiently.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates phenotypic heterogeneity within the Bcc. Some trends can be observed at the genomovar level, but only B. cepacia genomovar VI could be differentiated unambiguously on the basis of its inability to grow on PCAT.


CONCLUSIONS
This work provides an update on some differential phenotypic characteristics of all nine Bcc genomovars.
Vermis
K
K
Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
Vandamme
P A R
PA
Nelis
H J
HJ
D016956:Burkholderia cepacia / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media; D005838:Genotype; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010641:Phenotype
D003470:Culture Media; D002244:Carbon