Burkholderia stabilis

Burkholderia stabilis

• is a non-fermenting, oxidase-positive gram-negative bacillus, and is a ubiquitous environmental saprophyte
  
  
• is a member of the B. cepacia complex
  • has been associated with nosocomial outbreaks of respiratory infections in patients with cystic fibrosis but can also cause non-respiratory infections in other populations through contamination of various medical devices (1):
    • washing gloves, chlorhexidine, alcohol-free mouthwash and medication have all been found to be sources of contamination in previous nosocomial outbreaks of B. cepacia complex
      • the Burkholderia cepacia complex is a group of closely related gram-negative bacteria comprising at least 9 species (2)
        • are routinely isolated from the natural environment, where they can have a range of beneficial properties
        • however, these bacteria can also frequently cause fatal infections in vulnerable humans, such as those who have cystic fibrosis
  • non-sterile, multi-use, ultrasound gel is known to support the growth of pathogenic bacteria and has been associated with several outbreaks of B. cepacia complex in different settings

Reference:

1. Arsenault C et al. A Burkholderia stabilis outbreak associated with the use of ultrasound gel in multiple healthcare centres in Montréal, Canada, May-October 2021. Can Commun Dis Rep. 2023 Aug 1;49(7-8):314-319.
2. Baldwin A et al. Environmental Burkholderia cepacia complex isolates in human infections. Emerg Infect Dis. 2007 Mar;13(3):458-61