Comparison of the efficiency of sampling devices for aerosolized Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Previous studies have demonstrated that aerosol sampling devices can have deleterious effects on bacteria due to stresses intrinsic to the sampling processes. Although a significant amount of work has been carried out to develop animal models of inhalational melioidosis, little information has been reported on the effects of the aerosol sampling devices on the causative bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiencies for collection of aerosolized bacteria in three sampling devices that have been used in studies utilizing aerosolized B.