title: Size distribution and buoyant density of Burkholderia pseudomallei.
abstract: The size and density of microbial cells determine the time that pathogens can remain airborne and thus, their potential to infect by the respiratory route. We determined the density and size distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei cells in comparison with other Burkholderia species, including B. mallei and B. thailandensis, all prepared and analyzed under similar conditions. The observed size distribution and densities of several bacterial strains indicates that aerosolized particles consisting of one or of a few B. pseudomallei cells should be efficiently retained in the lungs, highlighting the risk of transmission of melioidosis by the respiratory route when the pathogen is present in fluids from infected patients or aerosolized from the environment.
authors.affiliation: Research and Technology Directorate, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, US Army, 5183 Blackhawk Rd, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5424, USA. joseluis.sagripanti@us.army.mil
authors.forename: Jose-Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sagripanti
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carrera
authors.forename: Jeannie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Avram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Timothy J J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Inglis
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D019117:Burkholderia / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D016957:Burkholderia pseudomallei / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008554:Melioidosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013046:Specific Gravity
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols