Burkholderia is a genus of proteobacteria probably best-known for its pathogenic members - Burkholderia mallei responsible for glanders, a disease that occurs mostly in horses and related animals, Burkholderia pseudomallei - causing agent of melioidosis and Burkholderia cepacia - an important source of pulmonary infection in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The Burkholderia (previously part of Pseudomonas) genus name refers to a group of virtually ubiquitous gram-negative, motile, obligately aerobic rod-shaped bacteria containing both animal/human (see above) and plant pathogens as well as some environmentally-important species. In particular, B. cepacia and B. fungorum are renowned as good bio-degraders of chlororganic pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The usage of Burkholderia in agricultural purposes (as biodegradation and biocontrol means and plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria) is subject to discussions because of possible pathogenic effects in immuno-compromised people (esp. CF-sufferers), e.g., in-hospital infections. Due to relative resistance to antibiotics and rather high mortality rate Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei are sometimes considered as potential biological warfare agents targeting livestock and humans. Orders Alpha Proteobacteria    Caulobacterales - e. ... Glanders is an infectious disease that occurs primarily in horses, mules, and donkeys. ... Binomial name Equus caballus Linnaeus, 1758 The Horse (Equus caballus) is a sizeable ungulate mammal, one of the seven modern species of the genus Equus. ... Melioidosis, also known as pseudoglanders and Whitmores disease (after Capt Alfred Whitmore) is an uncommon infectious disease caused by a Gram-negative bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei, found in soil and water. ... Species P. fluorescens P. putida etc. ... Labelling transformers containing PCBs Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of organic compounds with 1 to 10 chlorine atoms attached to biphenyl and a general structure of C12H10-xClx. ... Cystic fibrosis (CF), also called mucoviscidosis, is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease that affects the lungs, sweat glands and the digestive system. ... Biological warfare, also known as germ warfare, is the use of any organism (bacteria, virus or other disease-causing organism) or toxin found in nature, as a weapon of war. ...