National Reference Center (NRC) for Burkholderia spp.

Mission of the NRC

The NRC for Burkholderia spp. is primarily responsible for monitoring respiratory infections and colonization of cystic fibrosis patients by the Burkholderia cepacia complex, as well as other non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (excluding Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp.—for these microorganisms, refer to the NRC for Antibiotic-Resistant Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter).

For specific, well-justified cases, identification and typing of non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli from other patients may be performed.

General Considerations

The activities of the NRC for Burkholderia species (excluding pseudomallei and mallei) are carried out by two laboratories: LM-UGent and UZ Brussel. Analyses are performed sequentially: requesting laboratories send isolates to UZ Brussel, which conducts an initial set of tests. If deemed necessary according to the established workflow, the isolates are then sent for further confirmation to LM-UGent.