Molecular identification of Burkholderia cepacia complex from people with cystic fibrosis in northwestern Iran: a research note

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to identify the Burkholderia cepacia complex in patients with cystic fibrosis in northwestern Iran using conventional culture. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of molecular identification via PCR and a preliminary ELISA, and to determine the correlation between laboratory findings and clinical presentations. Results The Burkholderia cepacia complex was not identified in oral mucosal swab samples from 100 cystic fibrosis patients using conventional culture media, including MacConkey agar and blood agar, followed by biochemical tests. However, the complex was identified with high precision by targeting the recA gene locus in PCR analysis. Furthermore, an optimized indirect ELISA using native antigens identified five and 12 positive cases, respectively. In the five PCR-positive cases, symptoms included growth delay, productive cough, and digital clubbing, accompanied by radiological findings such as bronchiolar involvement, airway wall thickening, and bronchiectasis. All five cases responded positively to co-trimoxazole treatment. These findings suggest that molecular analyses and ELISA assays using native species could be promising candidates for establishing efficient and appropriate methods for the diagnosis of the Burkholderia cepacia complex.