Burkholderia pseudomallei: Difference between revisions
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Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc. | Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc. | ||
Burkholderia pseudomallei is a human and animal pathogen and is the cause of melioidosis, which is a disease native to Southeast Asia and northern Australia. It releases exo and endo toxins but their role in instigating the symptoms of melioidosis is not yet fully understood. Nevertheless, infection is spread through the ingestion or contact of bacteria on open skin wounds or through the inhalation of the aerosolized Burkholderia pseudomallei. Melioidosis can be classified as acute or chronic depending on the incubation time before symptoms appear. It mimics tuberculosis in its ability o lay dormant without showing any symptoms for years. Common symptoms include fever, formation of abscess on various parts of the body such as the brain, osteomyelitis, bacteremia and various diseases of the heart, lungs and kidney such as pneumonia. Burkholderia pseudomallei was thought to have biological warfare potential and it’s virulence is made evident by being listed as a “Category B agent” by the US centers for Disease Control. | |||
==Application to Biotechnology== | ==Application to Biotechnology== |
Revision as of 09:23, 3 May 2007
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Burkholderia pseudomallei
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Beta Proteobacteria; Burkholderiales; Burkholderiaceae
Species
NCBI: Taxonomy |
Burkholderia pseudomallei
Description and significance
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.
Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Burkholderia pseudomallei is a human and animal pathogen and is the cause of melioidosis, which is a disease native to Southeast Asia and northern Australia. It releases exo and endo toxins but their role in instigating the symptoms of melioidosis is not yet fully understood. Nevertheless, infection is spread through the ingestion or contact of bacteria on open skin wounds or through the inhalation of the aerosolized Burkholderia pseudomallei. Melioidosis can be classified as acute or chronic depending on the incubation time before symptoms appear. It mimics tuberculosis in its ability o lay dormant without showing any symptoms for years. Common symptoms include fever, formation of abscess on various parts of the body such as the brain, osteomyelitis, bacteremia and various diseases of the heart, lungs and kidney such as pneumonia. Burkholderia pseudomallei was thought to have biological warfare potential and it’s virulence is made evident by being listed as a “Category B agent” by the US centers for Disease Control.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
References
Edited by Jin-Mo O