title: Burkholderia cepacia complex species: health hazards and biotechnological potential.
abstract: The Burkholderia cepacia complex is a group of nine closely related bacterial species that have useful properties in the natural environment as plant pest antagonists, plant growth promoters and degradative agents of toxic substances. Because these species are human opportunistic pathogens, especially in cystic fibrosis patients, biotechnological applications that involve environmental releases have been severely restricted. Recent progress in understanding the taxonomy, epidemiology and ecology of the B. cepacia complex species has unravelled considerable variability in their pathogenicity and ecological properties, which has set the basis for a reassessment of the risk posed by individual species to human health.
authors: Department of Biotechnology, Protection of Health and Ecosystems, C.R. Casaccia, ENEA, 00060 Rome, Italy. luigi.chiarini@casaccia.enea.it
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Chiarini
authors: Annamaria
authors: A
authors: Bevivino
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Dalmastri
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Tabacchioni
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Visca