Burkholderia cepacia and cystic fibrosis: do natural environments present a potential hazard?

An environmental survey of 55 sites yielded only 12 Burkholderia cepacia isolates, none of which displayed the phenotypic properties of a multiresistant epidemic strain associated with pulmonary colonization in patients with cystic fibrosis. Although the environment probably poses a low risk for patients with cystic fibrosis as a source of B. cepacia, the pathogenic potential of individual environmental strains remains unclear. We advise caution in the development of B. cepacia as a biocontrol agent.