Differences in infection kinetics and host response between Burkholderia multivorans and Burkholderia cenocepacia were demonstrated in a pulmonary infection model in BALB/c mice. B. multivorans persisted in the lung, while B. cenocepacia was cleared. Indirect immunofluorescence and electron microscopy of B. multivorans-infected lungs localized bacteria to macrophages. Clearance of B. cenocepacia was associated with greater interleukin-1beta and neutrophil responses than the responses induced by B. multivorans.