Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) currently consists of 18 closely related Gram- negative species that occupy different environmental niches. Most Bcc species are opportunistic pathogens, particularly problematic for cystic fibrosis patients and immune-compromised individuals. These microorganisms are naturally resistant to many antibiotics and their infections are very difficult to eradicate. The arsenal of virulence factors of Burkholderia cepaciais rich of many elements, such as lipases proteases and secreted products including system-associated effectors and toxin. Deciphering the function of virulence factors and assessment of novel therapeutic strategies has been facilitated by use of non-vertebrate model system such as Caenorhabtidis elegans . In recent years, several studies observed that Bcc strains show a wide range of pathogenic phenotypes during the infection of nematodes. In this work we performed an analysis of virulence factors of a selected panel of 18 Bcc species, most of them never characterized on C. elegans . Two different toxicity tests were set up: A slow killing assay and a fast killing assay, based on the different media used. It was demonstrated that, on the slow killing assays, worms? death is due to a bacterial accumulation in the whole intestine, while on the fast killing assay, the death is mediated by paralyzing toxins. Also, evidence is provided that toxins produced by some Bcc strains are secreted in the medium, are able to kill the nematodes and are not UV and heat labile. Finally, different responses of several ABC knock-out C. elegansmutants , when infected by some Bcc strains on our assays is highlighted.

Biography

Pietro Tedesco has completed his Second Level Degree in Biotechnological Sciences (Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology) in 2012 at the University of Naples ?Federico II?. He is currently a second year doctoral student at the University of Naples ?Federico II? and at the Institute of Protein Biochemistry, National Research Council, Naples. His research interest includes drug discovery from natural sources and study of the virulence mechanisms of human pathogens using C. elegans as non-vertebrate system model.