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Modified virulence of antibiotic-induced Burkholderia pseudomallei filaments

Kang Chen1, Guang Wen Sun, Kim Lee Chua

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Dr., Singapore 117597, Singapore.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|February 25, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic treatment for melioidosis can cause dangerous bacterial filamentation. This temporary reduction in virulence may lead to more resistant bacteria upon antibiotic withdrawal.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Melioidosis, a severe infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is treated with antibiotics.
  • Certain antibiotics can induce filamentation in B. pseudomallei.
  • The impact of B. pseudomallei filamentation on virulence remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the characteristics of antibiotic-induced B. pseudomallei filaments.
  • To compare the virulence of filamentous and nonfilamentous B. pseudomallei in vitro.
  • To assess the reversibility of filamentation and potential development of antibiotic resistance.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro assays comparing normal and filamentous B. pseudomallei.
  • Induction of filamentation using sublethal concentrations of ceftazidime, ofloxacin, and trimethoprim.
  • Assessment of monocytic cell lysis, bacterial motility, and antibiotic resistance.

Main Results:

  • Filamentous B. pseudomallei showed reduced ability to lyse monocytic cells compared to nonfilamentous forms.
  • Bacterial motility was decreased in filamentous bacteria.
  • Filamentation was reversible upon antibiotic removal, with recovery of virulence and motility.
  • Revertant bacteria exposed to ceftazidime at the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) developed antibiotic resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotic-induced filamentation of B. pseudomallei can temporarily decrease virulence.
  • Sub-MIC antibiotic concentrations during melioidosis treatment pose a risk.
  • This can lead to the emergence of more virulent and antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.

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