3.26 Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Microbiology review for the USMLE Step 1 Exam

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an encapsulated gram-negative oxidase positive rod that causes a variety of diseases.
• It can be found in soil, hospitals, and water, and it particularly likes water.
• P. aeruginosa can enter the body through contact with water, inhalation of respiratory droplets, or by medical equipment.
• The symptoms of infections caused by P. aeruginosa are caused by the toxins it secretes, including phospholipase C, exotoxin A, and endotoxin.
• P. aeruginosa causes community-acquired infections such as hot tub folliculitis, otitis externa, lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients, osteomyelitis, and skin infections.
• It causes nosocomial infections such as ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
• P. aeruginosa is associated with skin infections in burn victims