Quorum Sensing in Burkholderia pseudomallei and Other Burkholderia species

AbstractPurpose of ReviewBurkholderia pseudomallei andB.mallei are the etiological agents of severe diseases melioidosis and glanders, respectively, and are recalcitrant to many antibiotics. This review highlights recent findings on the quorum sensing (QS) systems of these pathogens and a closely related speciesB.thailandensis.Recent FindingsQuorum-sensing mechanisms have garnered considerable interest due to their ability to regulate bacterial physiology and metabolism. Research intoBurkholderia spp. has led to significant findings that delineate the important role of these redundant, yet distinct, QS pathways in bacterial fitness and pathogenesis. Recently developed methods have shown promise for employing high throughput screening to identify quorum-sensing inhibitors for therapeutic development.SummaryTargeting the QS systems provides an attractive alternative strategy to reduce the occurrence of acquired resistance through selection pressure. Combination therapies consisting of QS modulators could potentially be effective treatment options for melioidosis and glanders.
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research