Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Flashcards

Flashcards to review key concepts about Pseudomonas Aeruginosa from the lecture notes.

What is a characteristic pigment produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

Green blue pigment

What is the function of fimbriae in Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

Attachment to surfaces

Where is Pseudomonas aeruginosa commonly found in nature?

Water and moist soil

Why is Pseudomonas aeruginosa naturally resistant to antibiotics?

Its soil habitat where fungi produce antibiotics

How does Pseudomonas aeruginosa appear under a microscope?

Slender gram negative rod

Is Pseudomonas aeruginosa aerobic or anaerobic?

Aerobic

What is a common surface appearance of Pseudomonas colonies straight from the environment?

Ground glass appearance

What color does Pseudomonas aeruginosa typically exhibit when straight from the environment?

Metallic bluish green

Is Pseudomonas aeruginosa a fermenter?

No

Is Pseudomonas aeruginosa oxidase positive or negative?

Oxidase positive

What is otitis externa and what is it commonly associated with?

Inflammation of the outer ear, associated with swimmer's ear

What type of infection can Pseudomonas aeruginosa cause following a fungal infection between the toes?

Secondary infection, making it smelly and slimy

What is ventilator-associated pneumonia?

Pneumonia caused by organisms, including Pseudomonas, in ventilated patients due to plastic tubing and humidified air

What is a common infection associated with urinary catheters that Pseudomonas can cause?

Catheter infections

What condition in cystic fibrosis patients promotes Pseudomonas growth?

Thick mucus in the airways

Why are burns susceptible to Pseudomonas colonization?

Coagulated plasma impairs the immune response, and burns are often moist

Why are diabetic ulcers susceptible to Pseudomonas infections?

Impaired immunity

What is keratitis?

Infection of the cornea of the eye

Name one fluoroquinolone antibiotic that might be useful for Pseudomonas infection.

Ciprofloxacin

Name an araminoglycoside antibiotic that is important when a person is first admitted to hospital with sepsis from a UTI.

Gentamicin

Name a virulence factor of Pseudomonas that aids in attachment?

Fimbriae

How does slime production contribute to Pseudomonas virulence?

Makes it harder for the immune system to clear the bacteria

What enzymes helps Pseudomonas move in tissue?

Elastase

What virulence factors are helpful in moving in tissue?

Cytotoxin and Elastase

What does phospholipase do as a virulence factor?

Acts as an important virulence factor

What is the name of the color produced by pseudomonas?

Pyocyanin

What physical feature is a main hallmark of Pseudomonas type infections?

Inflammation

What is Pseudomonas role in causing infections to patients with catheter specimens of urine?

It loves plastic, and moisture

What does Pseudomonas do to genes for protecting it against UV light?

Turns off the genes.

Where can vegetation be a source of Pseudomonas?

In hospitals, pot plants and vases of flowers etc.