Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST)

Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) of Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) for speciation and typing purposes.

• Pneumonia

Pure culture.

Slants (preferred) or plates of any suitable media and swabs in transport media are all acceptable. Frozen specimens are also acceptable however, may extend turnaround time. 

Store slants and swabs at room temperature until shipped for testing. Ship actively growing cultures at room temperature. Frozen specimens should be kept frozen and shipped on dry ice.

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Respiratory infection by Burkholderia cepacia complex or other infections in immunocompromised patients

Completed Special Bacteriology requisition form (most recent version of requisition is required), detailing all patient information and relevant clinical information.  If possible, attach lab results that have already been done at local or provincial laboratories.

All patient and strain history must be included. Indicate if patient has cystic fibrosis.

Genome sequence derived MLST for Bcc for the purpose of speciation within the Bcc and for strain typing.  Sequences are compared against an on-line database.

21 calendar days.  In cases where staff or resources are limited, or where a novel allele needs number assignment from the PubMLST curator, the final report may be delayed and status of request will be forwarded in a preliminary report.

1. Baldwin et al.  2005.  Multilocus Sequence Typing Scheme That Provides Both Species and Strain Differentiation for the Burkholderia cepacia Complex.  JCM 43(9): 4665-4673.
2. Burkholderia cepacia complex Multi Locus Sequence Typing website (http://pubmlst.org/bcc/) developed by Keith Jolley and cited as Jolley KA, Bray JE, Maiden MCJ. Open-access bacterial population genomics: BIGSdb software, the PubMLST.org website and their applications. Wellcome Open Res. 2018 Sep 24;3:124. doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14826.1
3. Jin et al. Genome-based classification of Burkholderia cepacia complex provides new insight into its taxonomic status. Biology Direct (2020) 15:6 doi.org/10.1186/s13062-020-0258-5