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Physicochemical and Biological Factors of Soil and the Potential Use of Antagonistic Microbes for Biocontrol of Burkholderia pseudomallei

  • Melioidosis and Tropical Bacteriology (A Torres, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The physicochemical properties of soil that are correlated with the presence of Burkholderia pseudomallei have been reported with controversial results. The knowledge of microbes with potential antagonistic effects against B. pseudomallei as biocontrol agents is also limited. This review therefore describes the knowledge of abiotic and biotic factors correlated with the presence or absence of B. pseudomallei and the potential use of microbes as a biocontrol.

Recent Findings

The physicochemical factors in soil in unused land, rice paddies, or animal farms could identify significant factors correlated with the presence or absence of B. pseudomallei. The complex interaction of microbes and physicochemical factors may explain the uneven distribution of B. pseudomallei in soil. The potential use of bacteriophages and other antagonistic bacteria to control this lethal bacterium is discussed.

Summary

Water content and acidic pH were two physicochemical factors commonly found correlating with the presence of B. pseudomallei in soil. Bacteriophages and some antagonistic bacteria showed potential to be used as biocontrols for B. pseudomallei.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the Higher Education Research Promotion and National Research University Project of Thailand, CHE, through the Health Cluster (SheP-GMS), Melioidosis Research Center and Khon Kean University, National Research Council of Thailand and Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, through the Targeted Research Fund. We would like to acknowledge Emeritus Professor James A. Will, University of Wisconsin-Madison, under Publication Clinic, KKU, Thailand.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Rasana W. Sermswan

  2. Melioidosis Research Center, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Rasana W. Sermswan & Surasakdi Wongratanacheewin

  3. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Surasakdi Wongratanacheewin

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  1. Rasana W. Sermswan
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Correspondence to Surasakdi Wongratanacheewin.

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Sermswan, R.W., Wongratanacheewin, S. Physicochemical and Biological Factors of Soil and the Potential Use of Antagonistic Microbes for Biocontrol of Burkholderia pseudomallei . Curr Trop Med Rep 4, 192–198 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40475-017-0125-3

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