Purpose of Review
Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that are produced by Burkholderia pseudomallei consist of diverse structural components that serve equally diverse protective and antigenic functions. B. pseudomallei is a sapronotic disease agent that transitions from the environment to cause severe infection in humans and animals. EPS components are proposed to play a critical role in transmission, dissemination, and protection of the bacteria in these varied environments. However, many of these components remain uncharacterized, and there is a lack of consensus regarding classification of these EPS components.
Recent Findings
Bioinformatics, mutational studies, and transcriptional profiling of biofilms have identified additional EPS components, which include exopolysaccharides, capsular polysaccharides, proteins, and extracellular DNA.
Summary
The current status of B. pseudomallei EPS components is presented here. However, the nomenclature regarding extracellular polymeric substances from Burkholderia spp. is not consistent. We sought to illuminate these differences to facilitate communication between researchers working with Burkholderia spp.