AUTHOR=Choh Leang-Chung , Ong Guang-Han , Vellasamy Kumutha M., Kalaiselvam Kaveena , Kang Wen-Tyng , Al-Maleki Anis R., Mariappan Vanitha , Vadivelu Jamuna 

TITLE=Burkholderia vaccines: are we moving forward?

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=3

YEAR=2013

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2013.00005

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2013.00005

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<p>The genus <italic>Burkholderia</italic> consists of diverse species which includes both “friends” and “foes.” Some of the “friendly” <italic>Burkholderia</italic> spp. are extensively used in the biotechnological and agricultural industry for bioremediation and biocontrol. However, several members of the genus including <italic>B. pseudomallei, B. mallei</italic>, and <italic>B. cepacia</italic>, are known to cause fatal disease in both humans and animals. <italic>B. pseudomallei</italic> and <italic>B. mallei</italic> are the causative agents of melioidosis and glanders, respectively, while <italic>B. cepacia</italic> infection is lethal to cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Due to the high rate of infectivity and intrinsic resistance to many commonly used antibiotics, together with high mortality rate, <italic>B. mallei</italic> and <italic>B. pseudomallei</italic> are considered to be potential biological warfare agents. Treatments of the infections caused by these bacteria are often unsuccessful with frequent relapse of the infection. Thus, we are at a crucial stage of the need for <italic>Burkholderia</italic> vaccines. Although the search for a prophylactic therapy candidate continues, to date development of vaccines has not advanced beyond research to human clinical trials. In this article, we review the current research on development of safe vaccines with high efficacy against <italic>B. pseudomallei, B. mallei</italic>, and <italic>B. cepacia</italic>. It can be concluded that further research will enable elucidation of the potential benefits and risks of <italic>Burkholderia</italic> vaccines.</p>