Burkholderia thailandensis Isolated from the Environment, United States

Burkholderia thailandensis, an opportunistic pathogen found in the environment, is a bacterium closely related to B. pseudomallei, the cause of melioidosis. Human B. thailandensis infections are uncommon. We isolated B. thailandensis from water in Texas and Puerto Rico and soil in Mississippi in the United States, demonstrating a potential public health risk.

Automated summary

Burkholderia thailandensis, a bacterium closely related to the pathogen B. pseudomallei, was found in water in Texas and Puerto Rico, as well as soil in Mississippi in the United States. This discovery highlights a potential public health risk, although human infections with B. thailandensis are rare.