Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei is a causative agent of melioidosis. The present study investigated IL-1β mRNA and protein expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and purified monocytes (n = 10) in response to infection with B. pseudomallei and B. thailandensis. Similarly increased IL-1β mRNA and protein expression was found in both PBMC and purified monocytes stimulated with B. pseudomallei and B. thailandensis. Thus, this study suggests that IL-1β response does not differ between infections with B. pseudomallei and its non-virulent counterpart and other mechanisms may be involved in their distinct virulence in causing the disease.