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NC Department of Health and Human Services
State Laboratory of Public Health
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Bioterrorism: Agents of Concern

Burkholderia pseudomallei

Burkholderia pseudomallei grown on sheep blood agar for 96 hours

Colony Characteristics

  • White, smooth, creamy colonies on SBA at 24 hrs.
  • Some colonies may be mucoid or become dry and wrinkled at 48-72 hours.

Microscopic

  • Small, straight or slightly curved Gram-negative rod.
  • Bipolar staining.

Catalase Positive
Oxidase Positive
Indole Negative
Motile
TSI – Slant: variable, Butt: red
Colistin/Polymixin B – Resistant
Gram-negative Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria

Burkholderia mallei

Gram-negative Burkholderia mallei bacteria, which was grown on a medium of sheep’s blood agar

Colony Characteristics

  • Poor growth at 24 hours.
  • Small, gray, translucent colonies on SBA after 48 hours at 37°C.

Microscopic

  • Gram negative straight or slightly curved coccobacillus or small rod.
  • Arranges in pairs end-to-end in parallel bundles.

Catalase Positive
Oxidase Positive
Indole Negative
Non-Motile
TSI - No change (slant: red; Butt: red)
Colistin/Polymixin B – Resistant
Gram negative Burkholderia mallei bacteria on medium of chocolate agar

Any sample that cannot be ruled out by these methods should be forwarded to the NCSLPH.


SLPH Bioterrorism Information