SQSTM1 and infectious disease: Thus, the p62 protein level may be an indicator of autophagy flux with B. mallei and B. pseudomallei infection because p62 accumulates when autophagy is inhibited, and decreased levels can be observed when autophagy is induced.25, 26 Antigen presentation, innate immune signaling, and pathogen degradation may all involve autophagosome recruitment and activity, which play an important role in the induction of total immunity and defense against infectious diseases including Burkholderia infection.