Differentiation between non-virulent and virulent Burkholderia pseudomallei with monoclonal antibodies to the Ara+ or Ara- biotypes

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, a fatal tropical infectious disease endemic in Southeast Asia. Environmental isolates of B. pseudomallei have two distinctive biotypes. Some soil isolates are arabinose-assimilators (Ara(+) biotype) and are non-virulent in experimental animals. The others cannot assimilate arabinose (Ara(-) biotype) and are virulent in experimental animals. The Ara(-) biotype is found in almost all B. pseudomallei clinical isolates. In the present study, a panel of eight monoclonal antibodies that agglutinate the bacteria were produced and tested. The first group, Bps-D2. -D3, -D5, -L1, and -L2 agglutinated 100% of Aral clinical and soil isolates of B. pseudomallei. Another group Bps-A I, -A2, and -D1 agglutinated 92.9% and 90.9% of Ara(-) clinical and soil isolates. respectively. This panel of monoclonal antibodies may be useful for rapid differentiation between non-virulent Ara(+) and virulent Ara(-) B. pseudomallei.