Pseudomonas

• What are the faecal carriage rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa?


  15-25%
• What type of bacteria is Pseudomonas aeruginosa?


  Gram-negative bacilli
• What type of flagella does Pseudomonas aeruginosa have?


  Polar flagella
• Is Pseudomonas aeruginosa aerobic or anaerobic?


  Aerobic
• Is Pseudomonas aeruginosa a fermentative or non-fermentative bacterium?


  Non-fermentative
• What are some genera related to Pseudomonas aeruginosa?


  • Pseudomonas
  • Burkholderia
  • Xanthomonas
  • Ralstonia
  • Zymomonas
  • Sphingomonas
  • Stenotrophomonas
• What disease is associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in immunosuppressed patients?


  Opportunistic infections
• What is a common infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients?


  Respiratory infections
• What type of infections can Pseudomonas aeruginosa cause in IV drug users?


  Endocarditis
• What is a common infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in immunocompromised patients?


  Bacteraemia and septicaemia
• What type of infections can Pseudomonas aeruginosa cause in the central nervous system?


  Meningitis and brain abscesses
• What type of ear infections is Pseudomonas aeruginosa known for?


  External otitis
• What type of infections can Pseudomonas aeruginosa cause in the eye?


  Devastating infections
• In which patients are bone and joint infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa most often seen?


  IV drug users
• What type of urinary tract infections does Pseudomonas aeruginosa usually cause?


  Hospital-acquired after catheterization
• What conditions promote skin and soft tissue infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa?


  Breakdown of integument and high moisture conditions
• Does Pseudomonas aeruginosa cause typical diarrhoeal or vomiting diseases in immunocompromised patients?


  No
• What are the virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their functions?


  • Fimbriae and other adhesins: Attachment to host cells, biofilm formation
  • Neuraminidase: Modifies host receptors for attachment
  • Polysaccharide capsule: Protects against immune system
  • Endotoxin: May cause septic shock
  • Exotoxin A/Exoenzyme S: Breaks down host cell fibers
  • Pyocyanin: Tissue damage, stimulates inflammation
  • Exopolysaccharides: Facilitate biofilm formation
• In what types of environments can Pseudomonas aeruginosa multiply?


  Nutritionally poor environments
• Where can Pseudomonas aeruginosa be found in the environment?


  • Soil and vegetation
  • Decaying organic matter
  • Water
  • Domestic environment
  • Hospital environment
  • Mops, sinks, toilets
  • Dialysis equipment
  • Respiratory tubing
  • Cut flowers
• How can Pseudomonas aeruginosa spread?


  Person-to-person, fomite, or environmental exposure
• What are some examples of substances that Pseudomonas aeruginosa can assimilate?


  Aviation fuel, distilled water, photographic chemicals
• What diseases are caused by plant pathogens related to Pseudomonas?


  • Ralstonia solanacearum: Wilt diseases
  • Pseudomonas syringae: Chlorosis and necrotic lesions
  • Pseudomonas marginalis: Pectinolytic soft rots
• What is the ice nucleation mechanism in Pseudomonas pathogens?


  Cell surface ice nucleating protein promotes bacterial uptake
• Where is Burkholderia pseudomallei commonly found?


  Southeast Asia, India, Africa, North Australia
• What type of environment does Burkholderia pseudomallei thrive in?


  Soil and water
• What is the annual incidence of melioidosis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei?


  ~165,000 cases annually
• What type of pulmonary infection can Burkholderia pseudomallei cause?


  Mild bronchitis to severe pneumonia
• How long can patients with latent melioidosis remain symptom-free?


  Decades
• What outbreak was caused by a panda in a Paris zoo in 1975?


  A major outbreak of Burkholderia pseudomallei
• What disease does Burkholderia mallei cause?


  Glanders
• What are the symptoms of glanders caused by Burkholderia mallei?


  Ulceration and cutaneous lesions, pulmonary abscesses