Melioidosis of the Central Nervous System: Impact of the bimABm Allele on Patient Presentation and Outcome

Abstract

Background. The autotransporter protein Burkholderia intracellular motility A (BimA) facilitates the entry of Burkholderia pseudomallei into the central nervous system (CNS) in mouse models of melioidosis. Its role in the pathogenesis of human cases of CNS melioidosis is incompletely defined. Methods. Consecutive culture-confirmed cases of melioidosis at 2 sites in tropical Australia after 1989 were reviewed. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data of the patients with CNS melioidosis were recorded. The bimA allele (bimABm or bimABp) of the B. pseudomallei isolated from each patient was determined. Results. Of the 1587 cases diagnosed at the 2 sites during the study period, 52 (3.3%) ha..