Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Characteristics

Obligate Anaerobe, Gram Negative, Encapsulated, Single Polar Flagellum, Large Intestine, Free-Living in Soil/Water

What type of pathogen is Pseudomonas Aeruginosa?

Opportunistic Pathogen

Common Pseudomonal Infections

Hot Tub Rash (occurs in healthy people, sponges/washcloths are common reservoirs) and Corneal Ulcers (contact lens wearers are vulnerable to this)

Virulence Factors of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

LPS, slime layer/biofilm formation, exotoxins, adhesins, etc

What are virulence factors in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa controlled by?

Quorum Sensing

Motility in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Use polar type IV pili to move across solid surfaces and single polar flagellum

Biofilms 

~60% of human infections, protect bacteria from immune cells (resistant to antibiotics and disinfectants) 

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Notable Characteristics

Grape-like odor, blue pus color with a blue-green or green-yellow fluorescent pigment

Epidemiology of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

MDR Pseudomonas Aeruginosa 32,600 cases with 2,700 deaths

Mortality Rates of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Ventilator Assisted Pneumoniae → 38%
Burn Wounds → 60% 
AIDS Patients → 50% 
Cystic Fibrosis → 50%

What is the most consistently resistant pathogenic bacterium?

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa