The Survival of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Liquid Media

Jeannie Robertson School of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia; Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, PathWest Laboratory Medicine Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edgewood, Maryland; Microbiology and Immunology, School of Molecular, Biomolecular, and Chemical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia

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Avram Levy School of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia; Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, PathWest Laboratory Medicine Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edgewood, Maryland; Microbiology and Immunology, School of Molecular, Biomolecular, and Chemical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia

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Jose-Luis Sagripanti School of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia; Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, PathWest Laboratory Medicine Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edgewood, Maryland; Microbiology and Immunology, School of Molecular, Biomolecular, and Chemical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia

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Timothy J. J. Inglis School of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia; Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, PathWest Laboratory Medicine Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edgewood, Maryland; Microbiology and Immunology, School of Molecular, Biomolecular, and Chemical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia

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We studied the effect of environmental parameters on the survival of Burkholderia pseudomallei. There was a small increase in bacterial count for up to 28 days in sterilized distilled water or rain water, in water at 20°C or 40°C, and in buffered solutions of pH 4 or higher. Counts of culturable B. pseudomallei declined at pH 3, in the presence of seawater or water with concentrations of 4% salt or higher, and under refrigeration. The morphological appearances of B. pseudomallei changed under conditions that maintained culturable numbers from bacilli to coccoid cells and spiral forms under pH or salt stress. These observations indicate that B. pseudomallei can endure nutrient-depleted environments as well as a wide range of pH, salt concentrations, and temperatures for periods of up to 28 days. The relative stability of B. pseudomallei under these conditions underlines the tenacity of this species and its potential for natural dispersal in water: in surface water collections, in managed water distribution systems, and through rainfall. These survival properties help explain the recent expansion of the known melioidosis endemic zone in Australia and may have played a part in recent melioidosis outbreaks.

Author Notes

*Address correspondence to Timothy J. J. Inglis, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, PathWest Laboratory Medicine Western Australia, QEII Medical Centre, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, Western Australia 6909, Australia. E-mail: tim.inglis@health.wa.gov.au

Authors' addresses: Jeannie Robertson, School of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, E-mail: jean.robertson@postgrad.curtin.edu.au. Avram Levy and Timothy J. J. Inglis, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, PathWest Laboratory Medicine Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia, E-mails: a-levy@cyllene.uwa.edu.au and tim.inglis@health.wa.gov.au. Jose-Luis Sagripanti, Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edgewood, MD, E-mail: joseluis.sagripanti@us.army.mil.

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