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. 1997 Oct;65(10):4319–4321. doi: 10.1128/iai.65.10.4319-4321.1997

Arabinose assimilation defines a nonvirulent biotype of Burkholderia pseudomallei.

M D Smith 1, B J Angus 1, V Wuthiekanun 1, N J White 1
PMCID: PMC175618  PMID: 9317042

Abstract

Two distinct types of Burkholderia pseudomallei, differentiated by the ability to assimilate L-arabinose but with similar morphologies and antigenicities, can be isolated from soil in Thailand. Approximately 25% of soil isolates from northeast Thailand were arabinose assimilators (Ara+), but in 1,200 sequentially studied patients, only arabinose "nonassimilators" (Ara-) caused melioidosis (P < 0.0001). In a murine model, there was a striking difference in virulence between Ara- and Ara+ B. pseudomallei. The mean (standard deviation) 50% lethal dose (LD[50]) inoculum for Ara- isolates was 182 (111) CFU/mouse compared with approximately 10(9) CFU/mouse for Ara+ soil isolates. There was no significant difference between the LD(50)s for clinical and soil Ara- isolates. All attempts to convert the biochemical phenotype by selective culture failed, which suggests that the biotype is stable.

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Selected References

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