This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Inglis, T. J. J. Articles by Harnett, G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Inglis, T. J. J. Articles by Harnett, G.

Comparison of Diagnostic Laboratory Methods for Identification of Burkholderia pseudomallei

Division of Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Western Australian Centre for Pathology and Medical Research (PathCentre), Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia

Received 24 November 2004/ Returned for modification 30 December 2004/ Accepted 4 January 2005

Limited experience and a lack of validated diagnostic reagents make Burkholderia pseudomallei, the cause of melioidosis, difficult to recognize in the diagnostic microbiology laboratory. We compared three methods of confirming the identity of presumptive B. pseudomallei strains using a collection of Burkholderia species drawn from diverse geographic, clinical, and environmental sources. The 95 isolates studied included 71 B. pseudomallei and 3 B. thailandensis isolates. The API 20NE method identified only 37% of the B. pseudomallei isolates. The agglutinating antibody test identified 82% at first the attempt and 90% including results of a repeat test with previously negative isolates. Gas-liquid chromatography analysis of bacterial fatty acid methyl esters (GLC-FAME) identified 98% of the B. pseudomallei isolates. The agglutination test produced four false positive results, one B. cepacia, one B. multivorans, and two B. thailandensis. API produced three false positive results, one positive B. cepacia and two positive B. thailandensis. GLC-FAME analysis was positive for one B. cepacia isolate. On the basis of these results, the most robust B. pseudomallei discovery pathway combines the previously recommended isolate screening tests (Gram stain, oxidase test, gentamicin and polymyxin susceptibility) with monoclonal antibody agglutination on primary culture, followed by a repeat after 24 h incubation on agglutination-negative isolates and GLC-FAME analysis. Incorporation of PCR-based identification within this schema may improve percentages of recognition further but requires more detailed evaluation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Levy, A., Merritt, A. J., Aravena-Roman, M., Hodge, M. M., Inglis, T. J. J. (2008). Expanded Range of Burkholderia Species in Australia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 78: 599-604 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Barth, A. L., de Abreu e Silva, F. A., Hoffmann, A., Vieira, M. I., Zavascki, A. P., Ferreira, A. G., da Cunha, L. G. Jr., Albano, R. M., de Andrade Marques, E. (2007). Cystic Fibrosis Patient with Burkholderia pseudomallei Infection Acquired in Brazil. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45: 4077-4080 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Amornchai, P., Chierakul, W., Wuthiekanun, V., Mahakhunkijcharoen, Y., Phetsouvanh, R., Currie, B. J., Newton, P. N., van Vinh Chau, N., Wongratanacheewin, S., Day, N. P. J., Peacock, S. J. (2007). Accuracy of Burkholderia pseudomallei Identification Using the API 20NE System and a Latex Agglutination Test. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45: 3774-3776 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• INGLIS, T. J. J., ROLIM, D. B., DE QUEIROZ SOUSA, A. (2006). MELIOIDOSIS IN THE AMERICAS. Am J Trop Med Hyg 75: 947-954 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Inglis, T. J. J., Sagripanti, J.-L. (2006). Environmental Factors That Affect the Survival and Persistence of Burkholderia pseudomallei. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72: 6865-6875 [Full Text]  
• Lowe, P., Haswell, H., Lewis, K. (2006). Use of Various Common Isolation Media To Evaluate the New VITEK 2 Colorimetric GN Card for Identification of Burkholderia pseudomallei.. J. Clin. Microbiol. 44: 854-856 [Abstract] [Full Text]