title: Melioidosis: molecular aspects of pathogenesis.
abstract: Burkholderia pseudomallei is a gram-negative bacterium that causes melioidosis, a multifaceted disease that is highly endemic in southeast Asia and northern Australia. This facultative intracellular pathogen possesses a large genome that encodes a wide array of virulence factors that promote survival in vivo by manipulating host cell processes and disarming elements of the host immune system. Antigens and systems that play key roles in B. pseudomallei virulence include capsular polysaccharide, lipopolysaccharide, adhesins, specialized secretion systems, actin-based motility and various secreted factors. This review provides an overview of the current and steadily expanding knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms used by this organism to survive within a host and their contribution to the pathogenesis of melioidosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama, 610 Clinic Drive, Mobile, AL 36688, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: DeShazer
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Brett
authors.forename: Mary N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Burtnick
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D058947:Bacterial Secretion Systems; D016957:Burkholderia pseudomallei / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008554:Melioidosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D058947:Bacterial Secretion Systems; D037521:Virulence Factors
keywords: Burkholderia pseudomallei; capsule; facultative intracellular pathogen; lipopolysaccharide; melioidosis; pathogenesis; secretion systems; virulence factors