AUTHOR=Scoffone Viola C. , Chiarelli Laurent R. , Trespidi Gabriele , Mentasti Massimo , Riccardi Giovanna , Buroni Silvia 

TITLE=Burkholderia cenocepacia Infections in Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Drug Resistance and Therapeutic Approaches

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01592

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2017.01592

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Burkholderia cenocepacia</italic> is an opportunistic pathogen particularly dangerous for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. It can cause a severe decline in CF lung function possibly developing into a life-threatening systemic infection known as cepacia syndrome. Antibiotic resistance and presence of numerous virulence determinants in the genome make <italic>B. cenocepacia</italic> extremely difficult to treat. Better understanding of its resistance profiles and mechanisms is crucial to improve management of these infections. Here, we present the clinical distribution of <italic>B. cenocepacia</italic> described in the last 6 years and methods for identification and classification of epidemic strains. We also detail new antibiotics, clinical trials, and alternative approaches reported in the literature in the last 5 years to tackle <italic>B. cenocepacia</italic> resistance issue. All together these findings point out the urgent need of new and alternative therapies to improve CF patients’ life expectancy.</p>