Lack of correlation between O-serotype,bacteriophage susceptibility and genomovar status in the Burkholderia cepacia complex

The Burkholderia cepacia complex comprises at least nine phylogenetically related genomic species (genomovars) which cause life-threatening infection in immunocompromised humans, particularly individuals with cystic fibrosis or chronic granulomatous disease. Prior to recognition that 'B. cepacia' comprise multiple species, in vitro studies revealed that the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of these Gram-negative bacteria is strongly endotoxic. In this study, we used 117 B. cepacia complex isolates to determine if there is a correlation between O-antigen serotype and genomovar status. Isolates were also tested for their ability to act as bacterial hosts for the LPS-binding bacteriophages NS1 and NS2. The absence of genomovar II (Burkholderia multivorans) in 'historical B. cepacia' isolates was notable. Neither O-serotype nor phage susceptibility correlated with genomovar status. We conclude that variability in LPS may contribute to the success of these highly adaptable bacteria as human pathogens.