Burkholderia cepacia

Burkholderia on selective media

Significance
Burkholderia cepacia, formerly Pseudomonas cepacia, is a bacterium that can be found in soil and water. Ordinarily it is not a pathogen in the ambulatory setting but may colonize and or infect the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis. Skin and soft tissue infections, surgical wound infections, central venous catheter and urinary tract infections have all been reported in healthcare settings. This bacterium is often naturally resistant to common antibiotics.

Transmission of Burkholderia cepacia has been reported from contaminated medicines and medical devices as well as person-to-person contact and contact with contaminated surfaces. Environmental monitoring for contamination of showers and sinks has been suggested.

Test Method
Filter concentration method using Burkholderia selective media. Direct plating is also included in the event of high concentrations of the organism. Modification of the ASTM International Standard Test Method for the Isolation and Enumeration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from water (D5246).

Turn Around Time
3–7 days

Test Code
123

Sample Transport
See Sampling and Shipping page for instructions.

Accreditations and Proficiency
See Accreditations and Proficiency page for information on our accreditations and Legionella testing proficiency programs.