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PRESS RELEASEFor immediate releaseContact: Amy Steigman Burkholderia cepacia-An Extraordinarily Versatile BacteriumSt. Paul, MN (October 6, 1998) — Burkholderia cepacia is an extraordinarily versatile bacterium that could be an effective substitute for chemical pesticides. But, because some strains of B. cepacia have been implicated in causing lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis, its use in agriculture is being carefully evaluated. Plant pathologists will meet in November to discuss the ecology of B. cepacia in the natural environment and its use in agriculture during The American Phytopathological Society’s Annual Meeting. "We need to learn more about the role of the bacterium, both in nature where it is a common soil inhabitant and in human health where some strains can cause problems for individuals predisposed to infection," says Jennifer Parke, plant pathologist at Oregon State University and a member of APS. "At the meeting, scientists will offer their insights on the biology, epidemiology and genetics of B. cepacia. Our goal is to develop a knowledge-based approach to evaluating the potential risks of B. cepacia’s agricultural use." One of the major problems with B. cepacia, is distinguishing between strains that might cause disease in humans and those that don’t. "There are some promising new methods that should help us determine which strains of B. cepacia are potentially harmful," says Parke. APS is actively encouraging education and discussion on Burkholderia cepacia through a multifaceted feature article at www.apsnet.org/education/feature/BurkholderiaCepacia and an international symposium scheduled for APS’s annual meeting at the Las Vegas Hilton, November 9, 1998. The American Phytopathological Society (APS) is a professional scientific organization dedicated to the study and control of plant disease with more than 5,000 members worldwide.
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