title: Multiplex qPCR for reliable detection and differentiation of Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Burkholderia mallei and B. pseudomallei are two closely related species of highly virulent bacteria that can be difficult to detect. Pathogenic Burkholderia are endemic in many regions worldwide and cases of infection, sometimes brought by travelers from unsuspected regions, also occur elsewhere. Rapid, sensitive methods for identification of B. mallei and B. pseudomallei are urgently needed in the interests of patient treatment and epidemiological surveillance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Signature sequences for sensitive, specific detection of pathogenic Burkholderia based on published genomes were identified and a qPCR assay was designed and validated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A single-reaction quadruplex qPCR assay for the detection of pathogenic Burkholderia, which includes a marker for internal control of DNA extraction and amplification, was developed. The assay permits differentiation of B. mallei and B. pseudomallei strains, and probit analysis showed a very low detection limit. Use of a multicopy signature sequence permits detection of less than 1 genome equivalent per reaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new assay permits rapid detection of pathogenic Burkholderia and combines enhanced sensitivity, species differentiation, and inclusion of an internal control for both DNA extraction and PCR amplification.
authors: Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Anthonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven, MA, 3721, The Netherlands. ingmar.janse@rivm.nl
authors: Ingmar
authors: I
authors: Janse
authors: Raditijo A
authors: RA
authors: Hamidjaja
authors: Amber C A
authors: AC
authors: Hendriks
authors: Bart J
authors: BJ
authors: van Rotterdam
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D042726:Burkholderia mallei / Q000235:genetics*; D016957:Burkholderia pseudomallei / Q000235:genetics*; D005896:Glanders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008554:Melioidosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D058889:Molecular Typing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins