BIOFILMS OF PATHOGENIC BURKHOLDERIA AND THEIR ROLE IN RESISTANCE TO ANTIBIOTICS

Abstract

The review contains the current knowledge on the main issues of Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei biofilm formation. The role ofknown structural elements of Burkholderia cells (flagella, type IV pili, LPS), as well as autotransporter adhesin proteins in the attachment of bacteria to surfaces, the formation of microcolonies and biofilm is described. The review also includes information of genetic regulatory mechanisms (QS-systems, RpoE-sigma factor, c-di-GMP, two-component signal transduction system), differentially expressed genes related to the formation of B. pseudomallei biofilm, role ofbiofilms in the virulence and resistance to antibiotics of pathogenic Burkholderia and their significance for the chronic processes and recurrent course of melioidosis and glanders.

Keywords

• b. pseudomallei
• b. mallei
• biofilms
• resistance to antibiotics