Whole Genome Sequencing and Comparative Genomics of the Emerging Pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei Isolated from Two Travel-Related Infections in Hungary
Abstract
Background: Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, is a neglected tropical pathogen that has been increasingly encountered in Europe through travel-related infections. Clinical manifestations range from localized abscesses to life-threatening sepsis, posing diagnostic challenges in non-endemic regions.
Methods: We report two travel-associated melioidosis cases confirmed in Hungary between 2008 and 2024. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and core-genome MLST (cgMLST) were performed for molecular characterization. In parallel, a systematic review of travel-related melioidosis cases reported in Europe (1980-2025) was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Data were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and the PubMLST database.
Results: In silico MLST identified two distinct sequence types (STs): a novel ST1643, and ST1051, previously reported in Asia and Australia. Both isolates clustered within the Asian clade, confirming an imported origin. Virulence profiling revealed major determinants, including the Yersinia-like fimbriae (YLF) cluster, fhaB3, and ITS type C. The ST1643 isolate carried the bimABm variant and multiple resistance genes (blaOXA-57, blaPenI, and amrAB efflux system), while ST1051 harbored blaOXA-59. The literature review identified 82 studies encompassing 195 European cases, most originating from Southeast Asia, with pneumonia, followed by septic form and abscess as the predominant…
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