Burkholderia mallei, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Question 1

Major virulence factor for Burkholderia

Answer 1

Capsule

Question 2

Other Burkholderia pathogenic features

Answer 2

Antibiotic resistance, facultative intracellular pathogen

Question 3

Are Burkholderia Organisms facultative intracellular pathogens

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

Reservoir for Burkholderia Pseudomallei

Answer 4

Wet soil and endemic in countries bordering the equator

Question 5

Reservoir for Burkholderia mallei

Answer 5

Equine species and endemic in South America, Africa, Middle East, Asia

Question 6

Burkholderia pseudomallei transmission

Answer 6

Broad host range and enters cuts in skin and inhalation from contaminated soil or water
Also causes bacteremic pneumonia in humans

Question 7

Burkholderia mallei transmission

Answer 7

Narrow host range with equine, zebras, camels, but is zoonotic
And enters via cuts in skin and inhalation contact with purulent discharge or ingestion

Question 8

What causes Glanders aka farcy, drones, malleus, melis, equinia

Answer 8

Burkholderia mallei

Question 9

3 forms of Burkholderia mallei

Answer 9

Nasal, pulmonary, cutaneous

Question 10

Hallmarks of Glanders

Answer 10

Necrotic lesions and ulcers that exude highly purulent discharges in target tissues (spleen, lungs, liver, lymph nodes)

Question 11

Diagnosing Burkholderia mallei

Answer 11

Difficult to do But can do mallein test- highly sensitive and specific

Question 12

What causes melioidosis

Answer 12

Burkholderia pseudomallei

Question 13

Are Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei Tier 1 Select Agents

Answer 13

Yes both can be bio weapons- highly infectious via aerosol route and mortality rate

Question 14

Reservoir of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Answer 14

Water and wet soils also commensal organism of healthy animals and humans- opportunistic pathogen

Question 15

Predisposing factors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection

Answer 15

Burns, wounds, immunodeficiency, antimicrobial therapy reducing normal flora

Question 16

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Diseases

Answer 16

Mastitis in cattle, Otitis external in dogs and cats

Question 17

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence factors

Answer 17

Pilus, flagellum, siderophores, Extracellular toxic molecules and Exotoxin A- toxins damage host tissues

Question 18

How to diagnose Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Answer 18

Culture- fruity or corn tortilla smell, hemolysis, oxidase and produce pyocyanin (blue pigment) on nutrient agar

Question 19

Are Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to antibacterials and if so how

Answer 19

Antibiotic effluent pumps and biofilms

Question 20

Where does Pseudomonas aeruginosa thrive

Answer 20

Moist environments so can thrive in hospitals and farms in moist places and in ears or wounds