The Variability of the Order Burkholderiales Representatives in the Healthcare Units

Abstract

Background and Aim. The order Burkholderiales became more abundant in the healthcare units since the late 1970s; it is especially dangerous for intensive care unit patients and patients with chronic lung diseases. The goal of this investigation was to reveal the real variability of the order Burkholderiales representatives and to estimate their phylogenetic relationships.Methods.16S rDNAand genes of theBurkholderia cenocepaciacomplex (Bcc) Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) scheme were used for the bacteria detection.Results. A huge diversity of genome size and organization was revealed in the order Burkholderiales that may prove the adaptability of this taxon’s representatives. The following variability of the Burkholderiales in Russian healthcare units has been revealed: Burkholderiaceae (Burkholderia,Pandoraea, andLautropia), Alcaligenaceae (Achromobacter), and Comamonadaceae (Variovorax). TheBurkholderiagenus was the most diverse and was represented by 5 species and 16 sequence types (ST). ST709 and 728 were transmissible and often encountered in cystic fibrosis patients and in hospitals.A. xylosoxidanswas estimated by 15 genotypes. The strains of first and second ones were the most numerous.Conclusions. Phylogenetic position of the genusLautropiawith smaller genome is ambiguous. The Bcc MLST scheme is applicable for all Burkholderiales representatives for resolving the epidemiological problems.