Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

New insights into Burkholderia pseudomallei infection (melioidosis)

International Congress on Bacteriology & Infectious Diseases

November 20-22, 2013 DoubleTree by Hilton Baltimore-BWI Airport, MD, USA

W. J. Wiersinga

Accepted Abstracts: J Bacteriol Parasitol

Abstract:

Melioidosis caused by the environmental gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei, is classically characterized by pneumonia and multiple abscesses, with a mortality rate of up to 40%. It is an important cause of community-acquired sepsis in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Its known global distribution is expanding, a reflection of improvements in diagnostic microbiology and increasing numbers of cases in travellers and returning military personnel. A locally acquired case of melioidosis was recently described in the United States. B. pseudomallei has been classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a category B bioterrorism agent, resulting in increased research and understanding of melioidosis. This talk will cover recent developments in pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment of B. pseudomallei.

Biography :

W. J. Wiersinga, M.D., Ph.D. received his medical training at the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands), with additional courses at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH, Bethesda, MD). He divides his time between patient care at the Department of Medicine/ Infectious Diseases, teaching and research in the Centre for Experimental Molecular Medicine, at the Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam. He investigates the role and function of pathogen-recognition-receptors and innate immunity in sepsis, with a special interest Burkholderia pseudomallei and Salmonella typhi infection and the role of diabetes as well as the gut microbiota during sepsis.