Burkholderia stabilis

Burkholderia stabilis is a bacterial species belonging to the genus Burkholderia. It is a gram-negative, oxidase-positive, motile bacillus that is commonly found in the environment. B. stabilis is known for its ability to survive in a variety of harsh conditions, hence the name "stabilis".

Taxonomy

Burkholderia stabilis is a member of the Burkholderia cepacia complex, a group of closely related species that are difficult to distinguish from one another using traditional microbiological methods. The B. cepacia complex is composed of at least 20 different species, including B. stabilis.

Characteristics

B. stabilis is a aerobic, non-spore-forming bacillus. It is capable of fixing nitrogen, and can degrade a variety of organic compounds, including some that are toxic to other organisms. This makes B. stabilis a potentially useful organism for bioremediation efforts.

Pathogenicity

While B. stabilis is primarily an environmental organism, it can also act as an opportunistic pathogen, particularly in individuals with cystic fibrosis or those who are immunocompromised. Infections caused by B. stabilis can be difficult to treat due to the organism's inherent resistance to many antibiotics.

Treatment

Treatment of B. stabilis infections can be challenging due to the organism's resistance to many commonly used antibiotics. However, some quinolones and aminoglycosides have been found to be effective against B. stabilis. In addition, combination therapy with multiple antibiotics may be necessary in some cases.

See also

• Burkholderia cepacia complex
• Opportunistic infection
• Bioremediation

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