Molecular approaches to pathogenesis study of Burkholderia cenocepacia, an important cystic fibrosis opportunistic bacterium.
Appl Microbiol Biotechnol
; 92(5): 887-95, 2011 Dec.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21997606
ABSTRACT
Burkholderia cenocepacia is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen belonging to the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). It is spread in a wide range of ecological niches, and in cystic fibrosis patients, it is responsible for serious infections. Its eradication is very difficult due to the high level of intrinsic resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics. One of the main resistance mechanisms in clinical isolates is represented by efflux systems that are able to extrude a variety of molecules, such as antibiotics, out of the cell. Resistance-Nodulation-Cell Division (RND) efflux pumps are known to be mediators of multidrug resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. Since now, the significance of the RND efflux systems in B. cenocepacia has been partially determined. However, the analysis of the completely sequenced genome of B. cenocepacia J2315 allowed the identification of 16 operons coding for these transporters. We focused our attention on the role of these pumps through the construction of several deletion mutants. Since manipulating B. cenocepacia J2315 genome is difficult, we used a peculiar inactivation system, which enables different deletions in the same strain. The characterization of our mutants through transcriptome and phenotype microarray analysis suggested that RND efflux pumps can be involved not only in drug resistance but also in pathways important for the pathogenesis of this microorganism. The aim of this review is an updated overview on host-pathogen interactions and drug resistance, particularly focused on RND-mediated efflux mechanisms, highlighting the importance of molecular techniques in the study of B. cenocepacia.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Infecciones por Burkholderia
/
Fibrosis Quística
/
Burkholderia cenocepacia
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Appl Microbiol Biotechnol
Año:
2011
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia