Burkholderia ambifaria

Burkholderia ambifaria is a species of bacteria belonging to the genus Burkholderia. It is a gram-negative, motile, non-spore-forming bacterium that is commonly found in the environment, particularly in soil and water.

Taxonomy

The genus Burkholderia was first described in 1992, and Burkholderia ambifaria was identified as a distinct species within this genus in 2000. The species name ambifaria is derived from the Latin words ambi, meaning "both", and farius, meaning "to bear", reflecting the bacterium's ability to live in both environmental and clinical settings.

Characteristics

Burkholderia ambifaria is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium. It is motile due to the presence of multiple flagella, and it does not form spores. The bacterium is aerobic, meaning it requires oxygen to grow.

Ecology

Burkholderia ambifaria is commonly found in the environment, particularly in soil and water. It has been isolated from a variety of sources, including rhizosphere soil, the root zone of plants where it can promote plant growth and suppress plant diseases.

Clinical significance

While Burkholderia ambifaria is generally considered to be of low virulence, it has been associated with infections in humans, particularly in individuals with cystic fibrosis or those who are immunocompromised.

Treatment

Treatment of Burkholderia ambifaria infections can be challenging due to the bacterium's inherent resistance to many commonly used antibiotics. However, some strains may be susceptible to certain antibiotics, such as ceftazidime and meropenem.

Research

Research into Burkholderia ambifaria is ongoing, with studies focusing on its potential use in biocontrol and bioremediation, as well as its role in human disease.