Johns Hopkins ABX Guide
Burkholderia pseudomallei (Meloidosis)
MICROBIOLOGY
- Aerobic Gram-negative rod [Fig 1], sometimes with a safety pin appearance [Fig 2].
- B. pseudomallei, member of Burkholderia genus.
- Two other members, B. thailandensis (SE Asia, Australia), and B. oklahomensis (Midwest U.S.), seen in environmental samples; unclear if the cause of the disease.
- Commonly found in surface waters and muddy soils, but the transmission mechanism remains unclear.
- Described as colonizing rhizospheres and plant structures.
- Culturing methods in laboratories:
- Ashdown’s media is favored if non-sterile specimens, such as respiratory specimens, are cultured.
- B. cepacia-selective media an alternative.
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Last updated: July 17, 2023
Citation
Auwaerter, Paul. "Burkholderia Pseudomallei (Meloidosis)." Johns Hopkins ABX Guide, The Johns Hopkins University, 2023. Pediatrics Central, peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540071/all/Burkholderia_pseudomallei__Meloidosis_.
Auwaerter P. Burkholderia pseudomallei (Meloidosis). Johns Hopkins ABX Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2023. https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540071/all/Burkholderia_pseudomallei__Meloidosis_. Accessed October 30, 2025.
Auwaerter, P. (2023). Burkholderia pseudomallei (Meloidosis). In Johns Hopkins ABX Guide. The Johns Hopkins University. https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540071/all/Burkholderia_pseudomallei__Meloidosis_
Auwaerter P. Burkholderia Pseudomallei (Meloidosis) [Internet]. In: Johns Hopkins ABX Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2023. [cited 2025 October 30]. Available from: https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540071/all/Burkholderia_pseudomallei__Meloidosis_.
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