Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 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

Detection of virulence attributes of Burkholderia pseudomallei

V Balaji1, Mary V Jesudason, G Sridharan

  • 1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, India. micro@cmcvellore.ac.in

The Indian Journal of Medical Research
|April 30, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Live Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria are lethal to Caenorhabditis elegans, while their culture filtrate is not toxic. This suggests C. elegans can be used to detect B. pseudomallei virulence, offering an alternative to tissue culture.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Toxicology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is an emerging infectious disease in India.
  • Understanding the virulence factors of B. pseudomallei is crucial for disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the toxin activity of bacteria-free culture filtrate of B. pseudomallei in cell lines and Caenorhabditis elegans.
  • To assess the endotoxic activity of viable B. pseudomallei in C. elegans.

Main Methods:

  • Cytotoxic assays using McCoy, Hep-2, and HeLa cell lines exposed to B. pseudomallei culture filtrate.
  • Nematode toxicity assays exposing C. elegans to bacteria-free culture filtrate.
  • Co-culture killing assays with live B. pseudomallei and C. elegans.

Main Results:

  • B. pseudomallei culture filtrate exhibited cytotoxic effects on all tested cell lines.
  • Neither heated nor unheated filtrate harmed C. elegans.
  • Live B. pseudomallei were lethal to C. elegans, indicating potent endotoxic activity.

Conclusions:

  • While B. pseudomallei filtrate is cytotoxic to mammalian cells, it lacks toxicity to C. elegans.
  • Live B. pseudomallei are lethal to C. elegans, demonstrating significant virulence.
  • The C. elegans model is a viable alternative to tissue culture for detecting B. pseudomallei virulence attributes, especially in resource-limited labs.

More Related Videos

Identification of Antibacterial Immunity Proteins in Escherichia coli using MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS/MS and Top-Down Proteomic Analysis09:26

Identification of Antibacterial Immunity Proteins in Escherichia coli using MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS/MS and Top-Down Proteomic Analysis

Published on: May 23, 2021

A Rapid Image-based Bacterial Virulence Assay Using Amoeba05:22

A Rapid Image-based Bacterial Virulence Assay Using Amoeba

Published on: June 27, 2018

Related Concept Videos

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...
Rapid Identification of Pathogens01:25

Rapid Identification of Pathogens

MALDI-TOF MS has transformed clinical microbiology by offering a rapid and reliable method for pathogen identification. The traditional approach to microbial identification typically involves time-consuming culture techniques and biochemical tests, which can delay the initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. MALDI-TOF MS avoids these delays by using characteristic ribosomal protein mass patterns of microbial cells, enabling accurate species-level identification within minutes.Principle...
Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence01:20

Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence

Pathogenic bacteria employ a variety of strategies to establish infections, including the secretion of extracellular enzymes that act as potent virulence factors. These enzymes facilitate bacterial colonization of host tissues and help evade immune surveillance. By targeting structural components of host tissues and interfering with immune mechanisms, these enzymes play a pivotal role in disease progression.Extracellular Enzymes Facilitating Tissue Invasion: Several bacterial pathogens secrete...
Methods of Classification and Identification01:28

Methods of Classification and Identification

Bacterial identification relies on a diverse array of techniques to classify and understand microorganisms, each tailored to uncover specific characteristics. Traditional morphological approaches, while still valuable, are limited for closely related or structurally simple organisms. Modern methods integrate biochemical, serological, genetic, and advanced molecular tools to achieve greater accuracy.Morphological and Biochemical TechniquesMorphological characteristics, such as cell shape and...