Pathogens
Burkholderia cepacia complex

Burkholderia cepacia complex

Precautions

Droplet / Contact Precautions

General Information

Optimal therapy is unknown and antimicrobial therapy should be based on results of susceptibility testing.

Ubiquitous water and soil pathogen.

  • Important pulmonary pathogen in cystic fibrosis and lung transplant recipients.
  • Cepacia syndrome: acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis in colonized patients. High mortality.
  • Infectious Diseases consultation should be obtained for assistance with antimicrobial therapy.
  • Antimicrobial therapy should be guided by susceptibility testing whenever possible.
  • Treatment options are often limited.
  • Chronic infection with B. cepacia complex is associated with an accelerated decline in pulmonary function and shortened survival in cystic fibrosis.