Burkholderia cepacia: A Threat to Human Health?
Author Information
Author(s): Alison Holmes, John Govan, Richard Goldstein
Primary Institution: Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital
Hypothesis
Is the agricultural use of Burkholderia cepacia a threat to human health?
Conclusion
The widespread agricultural use of B. cepacia should be approached with caution due to its potential to cause severe illness in humans.
Supporting Evidence
- B. cepacia has emerged as a major threat to cystic fibrosis patients, causing superinfection in as many as 40% of patients in some centers.
- Transmission of B. cepacia between cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis patients has been associated with serious illness and death.
- B. cepacia is inherently resistant to multiple antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat.
Takeaway
B. cepacia is a bacteria that can help plants grow but can also make people very sick, especially those with cystic fibrosis.
Limitations
It is difficult to identify strains of B. cepacia that are safe for agricultural use, and the potential for these strains to evolve into human pathogens remains a concern.
Participant Demographics
Approximately 1 in 2,500 Caucasians are affected by cystic fibrosis, with a carrier frequency of 1 in 25.
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