Sketchy Microbiology: Pseudomonas

The Suiters of Pseudo-Mona — Pseudomonas

Hint: color of the tub

Red Bath Tub — Gram Negative Rod

Pseudo-Mona — Pseudomonas

Hint: tub ←→ water

Bathtub — Pseudomonas thrives in aquatic environments; hot tub folliculitis is from Pseudomonas

Blue Ring — Oxidase Positive

Cat — Catalase Positive

Eating grapes — Fruity grape-like odor

Grapes are whole / NOT wine — Non-Fermenter (does not catabolize glucose)

Blue Green scum on tub — Pseudomonas produces a blue green pigment when plated. May even turn wounds blue.

It’s from Pyocyanin and Pyoverdin

Feeding the flames — Obligate Aerobe

Glass Capsule — Encapsulated

What are the virulence factors of Pseudomonas?

• Alginate Slime (biofilm)

• Capsule (Antiphagocytic)

• LPS (endotoxin)

• Fimbrae (adherence)

• Flagellum (motility)

• Toxins

  • Exoenzymes S,T,U,Y (invasion + necrosis)

  • Exotoxin A (blocks peptide elongation)

• Protease (elastase, alkaline, protease)

• Siderophore

Nurse with Cl- bag — think about the dysfunctional channel of CF patients (they’re at high risk for Pseudomonas)

Nurse coughing — Most common Gram Neg Nosocomial infection (Pneumonia, respiratory failure in CF patients)

Mortar and pestle w/ Fish bones — Osteomyelitis in IV drug users and Diabetics

Maid on fire — Burn patients are especially susceptible to infection

Chamber Pot — Indwelling catheter infections from UTI's, chamber pot, nosocomial UIT's

Dalmatian Dog — Can lead to ecthyma gangrenosom (black spots)

Ear Trumpet — Otitis Externa (swimmers ear)

Suiter in green — Exotoxin A; Ribosolation of elongation factor 2 → leads to inhibition of protein synthesis and cell death

Piper suiter — Treatment is Piperacillin (penicillin)

Suiter with a Sai and flower — Treatment can also be Aminoglycosides or Fluoroquinolones

What antibiotic resistances does Pseudomonas have?

1. Intrinsic (efflux pump)

2. Acquired (plasmids, intergrons, horizontal resistance)

3. Adaptive (biofilm)