TY - JOUR AU - Ryall, Ben AU - Lee, Xiaoyun AU - Zlosnik, James EA AU - Hoshino, Saiko AU - Williams, Huw D. PY - 2008 DA - 2008/06/27 TI - Bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex are cyanogenic under biofilm and colonial growth conditions JO - BMC Microbiology SP - 108 VL - 8 IS - 1 AB - The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a collection of nine genotypically distinct but phenotypically similar species. They show wide ecological diversity and include species that are used for promoting plant growth and bio-control as well species that are opportunistic pathogens of vulnerable patients. Over recent years the Bcc have emerged as problematic pathogens of the CF lung. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is another important CF pathogen. It is able to synthesise hydrogen cyanide (HCN), a potent inhibitor of cellular respiration. We have recently shown that HCN production by P. aeruginosa may have a role in CF pathogenesis. This paper describes an investigation of the ability of bacteria of the Bcc to make HCN. SN - 1471-2180 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2180-8-108 DO - 10.1186/1471-2180-8-108 ID - Ryall2008 ER -