Pseudomonas infections B96.5

Infections by representatives of the genus Pseudomonas.

Pseudomonas is a genus of rod-shaped, aerobic, gram-negative, motile bacteria, the size of which varies between 0,5-1,0 × 1,5-5,0 um. Pseudomonads occur ubiquitously (so-called "puddle germ") in soil, water on plants and animals. Species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas pseudomallei, Pseudomonas mallei can be pathogenic for humans, especially in immunocompromised individuals. It is important that the pseudomonads are resistant to antibiotics.

Pseudomonads are able to form biofilms (mucus) at higher cell density, which protect them against macrophages and antibiotics.

Wound infections caused by P. aeruginosa are characterised by their blue-greenish colour and their unpleasantly sweet odour (e.g. in gram-negative foot infections).

The following diseases are caused or co-caused by Pseudomonas species:

• Ecthyma gangraenosum
• Folliculitis, gram-negative
• foot infection, gram negative
• Green Nail Syndrome (see below nail pigmentation)
• Panniculitis, infectious
• Pseudomonas folliculitis (whirlpool dermatitis)
• Pseudomonas Hot-Foot Syndrome
• Wound infections, Gram-negative (see below wound, chronic)
• Otitis externa (swimmer's ear, bathing otitis)

1. Wu DC et al (2011) Pseudomonas skin infection: clinical features, epidemiology, and management. At J Clin Dermatol 12:157-69.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21469761