Pyrosequencing™ of a recA gene variable region for Burkholderia cepacia complex genomovar identification

We developed an assay to identify Burkholderia cepacia complex genomovars by Pyrosequencing™ of a variable recA gene segment. Fifteen reference strains and 30 clinical isolates of B. cepacia complex were sequenced. Full 77-base pair target sequences were obtained from 44 of the 45 isolates, and BLAST queries of the sequences correctly identified the genomovar of these 44 isolates. Three Burkholderia multivorans isolates were identified as B. multivorans/Burkholderia ambifaria, indicating that additional identification methods may be needed for some B. multivorans strains.