Molecular characterisation and classification of Burkholderia pseudomallei

Melioidosis presents with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. Discussions on the correlations of disease presentation and severity with factors such as isolate virulence, host status and geographical location have been long and many. Additional issues such as latency and disease relapse serve to further complicate the picture. Molecular typing methods have been used to support a number of theories relating to such questions. They have also provided data regarding the evolutionary origins of Burkholderia pseudomallei isolates, in addition to defining the degree of clonality of multiple isolates from individual patients. More recently, molecular technology has been used in the search for biomarkers, molecular fingerprints used as diagnostic indicators of disease. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved