PapersFlow Research Brief
Burkholderia infections and melioidosis
Research Guide
What is Burkholderia infections and melioidosis?
Melioidosis is a tropical infectious disease caused by the gram-negative saprophyte Burkholderia pseudomallei, which leads to Burkholderia infections characterized by high case-fatality rates in humans and animals, particularly in southeast Asia and northern Australia.
The field encompasses 15,615 papers on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management of melioidosis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. Cheng and Currie (2005) in "Melioidosis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management" describe it as a disease associated with high case-fatality rates and potential for epidemic spread. Holden et al. (2004) in "Genomic plasticity of the causative agent of melioidosis, Burkholderia pseudomallei" note that the bacterium accounts for 20% of community-acquired septicaemias in northeastern Thailand, where half of those cases are fatal.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Melioidosis Epidemiology
This sub-topic maps global incidence, risk factors, and seasonal patterns of Burkholderia pseudomallei infections. Researchers conduct surveillance, geospatial modeling, and climate correlation studies.
Burkholderia pseudomallei Pathogenesis
This sub-topic dissects host-pathogen interactions, intracellular survival, and immune evasion strategies. Researchers use infection models, transcriptomics, and mutant screens to identify virulence determinants.
Burkholderia pseudomallei Genomic Plasticity
This sub-topic analyzes genome rearrangements, horizontal gene transfer, and adaptive evolution. Researchers apply comparative genomics, pangenome analysis, and phylogeny reconstruction.
Antibiotic Resistance in Melioidosis
This sub-topic profiles resistance mechanisms, treatment outcomes, and resistance evolution under therapy. Researchers perform susceptibility testing, genomic surveillance, and pharmacodynamic modeling.
Melioidosis Vaccine Development
This sub-topic evaluates subunit, live-attenuated, and adjuvanted vaccine candidates for protective immunity. Researchers assess immunogenicity, efficacy in animal models, and correlates of protection.
Why It Matters
Melioidosis imposes a significant public health burden in endemic regions like southeast Asia and northern Australia, where Burkholderia pseudomallei causes severe infections with high mortality. Cheng and Currie (2005) in "Melioidosis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management" report high case-fatality rates in humans and animals, emphasizing the need for improved management strategies. Limmathurotsakul et al. (2016) in "Predicted global distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei and burden of melioidosis" map the global distribution, predicting substantial disease burden beyond known endemic areas. Holden et al. (2004) in "Genomic plasticity of the causative agent of melioidosis, Burkholderia pseudomallei" highlight its role as a biothreat agent and its contribution to 20% of community-acquired septicaemias in northeastern Thailand, with 50% fatality, underscoring risks in clinical and biosecurity contexts.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Melioidosis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management" by Cheng and Currie (2005) provides a foundational summary of the disease's causes, distribution, and management, making it the ideal starting point for understanding core concepts.
Key Papers Explained
Cheng and Currie (2005) in "Melioidosis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management" establish the epidemiological and clinical framework, which Holden et al. (2004) in "Genomic plasticity of the causative agent of melioidosis, Burkholderia pseudomallei" build upon by detailing genomic features underlying pathogenesis, including its role in 20% of Thai septicaemias. Limmathurotsakul et al. (2016) in "Predicted global distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei and burden of melioidosis" extend this by modeling global spread based on prior genomic and epidemiological insights.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Research centers on genomic plasticity, virulence factors like the Type III Secretion System, antibiotic resistance, and vaccine development, as indicated by the 15,615 papers in the cluster. No recent preprints or news coverage alter these established frontiers from key works like Holden et al. (2004).
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Infectious Diseases Society of America | 1969 | The Journal of Infecti... | 3.3K | ✕ |
| 2 | The new global map of human brucellosis | 2006 | The Lancet Infectious ... | 2.2K | ✕ |
| 3 | Melioidosis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management | 2005 | Clinical Microbiology ... | 1.4K | ✓ |
| 4 | Brucellosis: an Overview | 1997 | Emerging infectious di... | 1.3K | ✓ |
| 5 | Brucellosis | 2005 | New England Journal of... | 1.2K | ✕ |
| 6 | Predicted global distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei and... | 2016 | Nature Microbiology | 997 | ✓ |
| 7 | Human brucellosis | 2007 | The Lancet Infectious ... | 974 | ✕ |
| 8 | The biological cost of antibiotic resistance | 1999 | Current Opinion in Mic... | 884 | ✕ |
| 9 | Brucellosis: A re-emerging zoonosis | 2009 | Veterinary Microbiology | 814 | ✕ |
| 10 | Genomic plasticity of the causative agent of melioidosis, <i>B... | 2004 | Proceedings of the Nat... | 768 | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes melioidosis?
Melioidosis is caused by the gram-negative saprophyte Burkholderia pseudomallei, a soil bacterium prevalent in tropical regions. Cheng and Currie (2005) in "Melioidosis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management" identify it as the primary pathogen responsible for the disease. The bacterium leads to infections with high case-fatality rates in endemic areas.
What is the epidemiology of melioidosis?
Melioidosis is a major public health issue in southeast Asia and northern Australia. Cheng and Currie (2005) in "Melioidosis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management" associate it with high case-fatality rates and epidemic potential. Limmathurotsakul et al. (2016) in "Predicted global distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei and burden of melioidosis" predict its distribution and burden worldwide.
How does genomic plasticity affect Burkholderia pseudomallei?
Genomic plasticity enables Burkholderia pseudomallei to adapt as a soil saprophyte and pathogen. Holden et al. (2004) in "Genomic plasticity of the causative agent of melioidosis, Burkholderia pseudomallei" describe this feature in the context of its biothreat status. It contributes to 20% of community-acquired septicaemias in northeastern Thailand with 50% fatality.
What is the clinical impact of melioidosis in Thailand?
In northeastern Thailand, Burkholderia pseudomallei accounts for 20% of community-acquired septicaemias, half of which are fatal. Holden et al. (2004) in "Genomic plasticity of the causative agent of melioidosis, Burkholderia pseudomallei" report this statistic. The disease manifests as a severe infection in endemic regions.
What management challenges exist for melioidosis?
Management of melioidosis involves addressing high case-fatality rates and potential epidemics. Cheng and Currie (2005) in "Melioidosis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management" outline epidemiology, pathophysiology, and strategies. The disease requires targeted approaches due to its severity in humans and animals.
Open Research Questions
- ? How does the genomic plasticity of Burkholderia pseudomallei influence its virulence and adaptation across diverse environments?
- ? What factors drive the predicted global distribution and expanding burden of melioidosis beyond current endemic areas?
- ? Which host immune responses determine susceptibility and outcomes in Burkholderia pseudomallei infections?
- ? How can antibiotic resistance mechanisms in Burkholderia pseudomallei be overcome for effective melioidosis treatment?
- ? What evolutionary relationships among Burkholderia pseudomallei strains explain regional variations in melioidosis epidemiology?
Recent Trends
The field includes 15,615 works with a focus on epidemiology, pathogenesis, genomic plasticity, virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and vaccine development for Burkholderia pseudomallei infections.
No growth rate data, recent preprints, or news coverage indicate shifts.
Influential papers such as Holden et al. continue to inform biothreat and clinical concerns, with Limmathurotsakul et al. (2016) providing the latest mapping of global melioidosis burden.
2004Research Burkholderia infections and melioidosis with AI
PapersFlow provides specialized AI tools for Medicine researchers. Here are the most relevant for this topic:
Systematic Review
AI-powered evidence synthesis with documented search strategies
AI Literature Review
Automate paper discovery and synthesis across 474M+ papers
Find Disagreement
Discover conflicting findings and counter-evidence
Paper Summarizer
Get structured summaries of any paper in seconds
See how researchers in Health & Medicine use PapersFlow
Field-specific workflows, example queries, and use cases.
Start Researching Burkholderia infections and melioidosis with AI
Search 474M+ papers, run AI-powered literature reviews, and write with integrated citations — all in one workspace.
See how PapersFlow works for Medicine researchers