Reviewed By Prof Moses Joloba
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium belonging to the genus Pseudomonas. It is known for its remarkable adaptability, intrinsic resistance to many antibiotics, and its ability to cause a wide range of infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa appears as small, straight or slightly curved rods under the microscope. It is motile due to the presence of polar flagella.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a strict aerobe and can metabolize a wide range of organic compounds. It produces oxidase and catalase enzymes and is capable of growth at temperatures ranging from 4°C to 42°C.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa possesses a variety of virulence factors that contribute to its pathogenicity. These include adhesins for attachment to host cells, toxins such as exotoxin A, proteases, and biofilm formation ability.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant cause of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections, particularly in patients with compromised immune systems, burns, or underlying respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis. It can cause a wide range of infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections (bacteremia), wound infections, and infections of medical devices such as catheters.
| Basic Characteristics | Properties (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) |
| Capsule | Non-Capsulated |
| Catalase | Positive (+ve) |
| Cetrimide Test | Positive (+ve) |
| Citrate | Positive (+ve) |
| Coagulase | Negative (-ve) |
| Flagella | Flagellated (Single) |
| Gas | Negative (-ve) |
| Gelatin Hydrolysis | Positive (+ve) |
| Gram Staining | Negative (-ve) |
| H2S | Negative (-ve) |
| Hemolysis | Beta Hemolytic |
| Indole | Negative (-ve) |
| Motility | Motile (Unipolar) |
| MR (Methyl Red) | Negative (-ve) |
| Nitrate Reduction | Positive (+ve) |
| OF (Oxidative-Fermentative) | Oxidative |
| Oxidase | Positive (+ve) |
| Pigment | Positive (+ve) (Blue/Green) |
| Shape | Rod |
| Spore | Non-Sporing |
| TSIA (Triple Sugar Iron Agar) | Alkali/Alkali (Red/Red) |
| Urease | Negative (-ve) |
| VP (Voges Proskauer) | Negative (-ve) |
| Adonitol | Negative (-ve) |
| Arabinose | Negative (-ve) |
| Cellobiose | Negative (-ve) |
| DNase | Negative (-ve) |
| Erythritol | Negative (-ve) |
| Fructose | Positive (+ve) |
| Galactose | Negative (-ve) |
| Glucose | Positive (+ve) |
| Hippurate | Negative (-ve) |
| Inositol | Negative (-ve) |
| Inulin | Negative (-ve) |
| Lactose | Negative (-ve) |
| Malonate | Positive (+ve) |
| Maltose | Negative (-ve) |
| Mannitol | Positive (+ve) |
| Mannose | Negative (-ve) |
| Mucate | Negative (-ve) |
| MyoInositol | Negative (-ve) |
| Rhamnose | Negative (-ve) |
| Ribose | Positive (+ve) |
| Sorbitol | Negative (-ve) |
| Starch | Negative (-ve) |
| Sucrose | Negative (-ve) |
| Tartrate | Negative (-ve) |
| Trehalose | Negative (-ve) |
| Xylose | Negative (-ve) |
| Acetate Utilization | Positive (+ve) |
| Arginine Dehydrolase | Positive (+ve) |
| Esculin Hydrolysis | Negative (-ve) |
| Lecithinase | Negative (-ve) |
| Lipase | Positive (+ve) |
| Lysine | Negative (-ve) |
| Ornithine Decarboxylase | Negative (-ve) |
| Phenylalanine Deaminase | Negative (-ve) |