Colonization of Burkholderia pseudomallei in cucumber and lettuce seedlings

  Objective  To study the colonization of Burkholderia pseudomallei in cucumber and lettuce seedlings.

  Methods  Germ-free seedlings of cucumber and lettuce were infected by B. pseudomallei BP56, BP66, BP47, which were preserved at Sanya People′s Hospital in Hainan province, via roots and leaves. The grinding fluid of infected roots and leaves were used for isolation of B. pseudomallei. The proliferation of B. pseudomallei were measured from the seedling leaves on day 1, 3, 5 and 7 after infection by plate counting method. And the curves of B. pseudomallei proliferation were plotted. B. pseudomallei in seedling leaves were located by transmission electron microscopy.

  Results  B. pseudomallei were isolated from infected cucumber and lettuce seedlings, and B. pseudomallei proliferated in seedlings over time following the infection. The colonization of B. pseudomallei in the leaves of cucumber and lettuce seedlings was observed by transmission electron microscopy.

  Conclusion  B. pseudomallei can replicate in some raw vegetables, such as cucumber, lettuce. It is the new laboratory evidences to study the possible infection mode of B. pseudomallei.