Definitive ID: Burkholderia mallei/pseudomallei

Get in Touch

Get in Touch

Email 
Phone 
512-776-7318
Fax
512-776-7294

Specimen Receiving
Monday-Friday, 8 am - 5 pm
Phone: 512-776-7598

Definitive ID: Burkholderia mallei/pseudomallei

Laboratory Fee Schedule
Procedure #:  BTA0002
CPT:  87040, 87070, 87077

 
Synonym(s): Melioidosis or Burkholderia pseudomallei, Glanders or Burkholderia mallei
Requisition Form G-27A
Test Description Culture identification of Burkholderia mallei/pseudomallei
Pre-Approval Needed Must notify BioThreat Team prior to sample submission: (512) 689-5537
Supplemental Information Required N/A
Supplemental Form(s) N/A
Performed on Specimens from (sources)
  • Non-Human (Bacterial)
  • Human 
  • Environmental
Sample/Specimen Type for Testing
  • Pure culture isolates
  • Bone marrow
  • Sputum
  • Wound swabs
  • Abscess aspirate
  • Tissue
  • Urine
  • Environmental samples
Minimum Volume/Size Required

Culture isolates 1 plate or slant

Clinical samples 1-2 mLs  
Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping

Culture isolates or wound swabs

  • Ambient (room temp)

Clinical samples

  • 2–8 °C

Environmental

  • Ambient (room temp)
Transport Medium N/A
Specimen Labeling

Human

  • Two patient-specific identifiers required (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, medical record number)
  • Identifiers on specimen must exactly match submission form.

Environmental or Food

  • Sample identification must match submission form.
Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements
  • Ship according to Dangerous Good Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49.
  • Handled as infectious agent using universal precautions. 
  • Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious agents. 
  • See also Emergency Preparedness resources online.
  • Notify BioThreat Team prior to sample submission: (512) 689-5537
Method Conventional biochemical methods
Turn-around Time Preliminary result 1 day after receipt, final result 4-21 days
Interferences/Limitations
  • Material must be viable.  
  • Improper storage or shipping temperatures may limit organism recovery.
Common Causes for Rejection
  • Insufficient quantity
  • Unacceptable specimen type or source
  • Improper shipping conditions
  • Expired media or collection container
  • Discrepancies between specimen label and submission form
  • Incomplete or missing submission form
Additional Information May be paired with Real-Time PCR: Burkholderia mallei/ pseudomallei