title: The multifarious, multireplicon Burkholderia cepacia complex.
abstract: The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a collection of genetically distinct but phenotypically similar bacteria that are divided into at least nine species. Bcc bacteria are found throughout the environment, where they can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on plants and some members can also degrade natural and man-made pollutants. Bcc bacteria are now recognized as important opportunistic pathogens that can cause variable lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients, which result in asymptomatic carriage, chronic infection or 'cepacia syndrome', which is characterized by a rapid decline in lung function that can include invasive disease. Here we highlight the unique characteristics of the Bcc, focusing on the factors that determine virulence.
authors.affiliation: Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3TL, UK.
authors.forename: Eshwar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mahenthiralingam
authors.forename: Teresa A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Urban
authors.forename: Joanna B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Goldberg
mesh_terms: D019121:Burkholderia Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D042602:Burkholderia cepacia complex / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D012093:Replicon; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D037521:Virulence Factors