Pseudomonas Flashcards
Pseudomonas is a gram negative bacteria that is a _____ aerobe
obligate
Pseudomonas is extremely ______
opportunistic
What is the main pathogenic species of Pseudomonas?
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Pseudomonas is usually a ____ agent with significant____ resistance
usually a secondary agent
Antimicrobial resistance
Pseudomonas likes to live in ____ poorly aerated environments such as surgery support bags and hoses in anesthetic machines
wet
True/False: Pseudomonas can cause mastitis?
True
usually via intramammary infusions
Pseudomonas is motile via _____
flagella
What virulence factor allows adherance to the respiratory mucosa for Psuedomonas?
outer membrane proteins
and non fimbrial adhesins
True/False: Pseudomonas has a remarkable capacity to adapt to and thrive in diverse ecological niches
True
Pseudomonas has a virulence factor that leads to ____ formation
biofilm
True/False: Pseudomonas does not have a capsule
False
It is encapsulated
What are the exotoxins of Pseudomonas and what are their characteristics?
Exotoxin A- inhibits protein synthesis
Exotoxin S and T- interferes with phagocytosis
Exotoxin U- cytotoxic effect
Exotoxin Y- increases cAMP
Which Pseudomonas exotoxins cause death of the cells that it is associated with?
Exotoxins U and Y
What virulence factor of Pseudomonas is useful diagnostically and helps to protect the pseudomonas against free radicals?
Pigments (Pyocyanins)
*Pseudomonas is protected due to catalase and superoxide dismuate
What is the Reservoir for Pseudomonas?
Soil, water, feces of normal animals- EVERYTHING
Most infections of Pseudomonas are _____ to compromised hosts
secondary
*ex. illness or trauma allows pseudomonas to colonize. It is very opportunistic
What is the pathogenesis of Pseudomonas?
- reduced normal flora allows bacteria to colonize (usually due to antimicrobial use)
- adhere to the epithelial cell layer and reproduce
- Destroys epithelial cells and tissues (pyocyanin)
Where will you see Pseudomonas the most?
Ear infections!
ottitis externa
What animals are predisposed to Pseudomonas?
swimmers
breeds with long ears- ex. bassett hounds
breeds with hair in external ear canal
Other than ear infections, what other disease can Pseudomonas cause?
Lower urinary tract infection
*not very common
What can Pseudomonas cause in horses?
Metritis
*secondary to prolonged treatment with antimicrobials
What does a skin infection of Pseudomonas look like?
Like this!

Pseudomonas can cause pustular _____ skin lesions
pyoderma
Pseudomonas has caused a particular problem in farmed _____
mink
*mortality 50% due to hemorrhagic pneumonia

