Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Total Protein Extraction and 2-D Gel Electrophoresis Methods for Burkholderia Species
08:31

Total Protein Extraction and 2-D Gel Electrophoresis Methods for Burkholderia Species

Published on: October 15, 2013

Antigenic relatedness between Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei

Narisara Anuntagool1, Stitaya Sirisinha

  • 1Laboratory of Immunology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand. narisara@tubtim.cri.or.th

Microbiology and Immunology
|May 15, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Monoclonal antibodies reveal antigenic differences between Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei. These findings help distinguish between the agents of melioidosis and glanders, aiding in diagnostics.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei cause melioidosis and glanders, respectively.
  • These closely related species share significant genetic and phenotypic similarities.
  • Previous studies established antigenic relatedness using polyclonal antisera and developed monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against B. pseudomallei.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antigenic differences between B. pseudomallei and B. mallei using specific monoclonal antibodies.
  • To characterize the surface antigens, including exopolysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), of these two bacterial species.
  • To explore the potential for MAb-based differentiation of B. mallei strains.

Main Methods:

  • Production and characterization of MAbs against B. pseudomallei exopolysaccharide (200-kDa) and LPS.
  • Immunoblot analysis of B. pseudomallei and B. mallei isolates using specific MAbs.
  • Comparison of reactivity patterns to differentiate antigenic profiles.

Main Results:

  • MAbs against B. pseudomallei 200-kDa antigen showed cross-reactivity with a component in some B. mallei isolates, but at a lower molecular weight.
  • None of the B. mallei isolates reacted with the MAb specific for B. pseudomallei LPS.
  • B. mallei isolates positive for exopolysaccharide also reacted with a commercial MAb against B. mallei LPS, indicating LPS heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

  • B. mallei exhibits antigenic heterogeneity, classifiable into types based on exopolysaccharide presence and LPS structure.
  • Differences in LPS O-polysaccharide side chains likely contribute to the antigenic variation observed between B. pseudomallei and B. mallei.
  • MAbs provide valuable tools for discriminating between these closely related and clinically significant Burkholderia species.

More Related Videos

Simplified Whole Body Plethysmography to Characterize Lung Function During Respiratory Melioidosis07:27

Simplified Whole Body Plethysmography to Characterize Lung Function During Respiratory Melioidosis

Published on: February 24, 2023

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS06:34

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS

Published on: July 11, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Inhalation Anthrax01:25

Inhalation Anthrax

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium. It primarily affects herbivorous animals but can be transmitted to humans through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation of spores.Cutaneous anthrax, the most common form, typically results from direct contact with bacterial spores through skin abrasions and is generally less severe. Gastrointestinal anthrax results from eating undercooked or contaminated meat. It affects the mouth, throat, or...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Regulation of Bacterial Virulence01:28

Regulation of Bacterial Virulence

Pathogenic bacteria employ a range of regulatory mechanisms to modulate the expression of virulence genes in response to environmental and host-derived signals. These mechanisms ensure that virulence factors are expressed only under favorable conditions, thereby optimizing infection and survival strategies.Mechanisms of Virulence RegulationKey regulatory strategies include:Two-Component Systems: These consist of a membrane-bound sensor kinase and a cytoplasmic response regulator. Environmental...
Modern Molecular Taxonomy01:29

Modern Molecular Taxonomy

Advancements in molecular biology have revolutionized the identification and characterization of bacteria, with multiple methods leveraging DNA sequencing for enhanced precision. As sequencing technologies improve and costs decline, these approaches are increasingly used in clinical, environmental, and evolutionary studies.Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) examines several housekeeping genes, essential chromosomal genes encoding cellular functions, to distinguish strains. Approximately...
Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria01:30

Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria

Coryneform bacteria are gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile rods that exhibit irregular, club-shaped, or V-shaped arrangements. Their V-shape results from snapping division, where the inner cell wall layer forms the cross-wall, while the outer layer remains intact until it ruptures on one side, causing the daughter cells to bend away.The primary genera are Corynebacterium and Arthrobacter. Corynebacterium includes diverse species, ranging from saprophytes to pathogens like Corynebacterium...
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...