Pseudomonas spp

other than P. aeruginosa

• P. alcaligenes
• P. fluorescens group
• P. luteola
• P. mendocina
• P. monteilii
• P. mosseilii
• P. oryzihabitans
• P. pseudoalcaligenes
• P. stutzeri group

Gram Stain

• Gram negative straight/slightly curved bacilli thin - nonfermenter (aerobic)

Clinical Significance

These organisms are found in a variety of environmental sources especially aqueous environments.

Although considered to be low level pathogens, they have been associated with nosocomial bacteremia, endocarditis, meningitis, wound infections, cellulitis, abscesses, and pneumonia, typically in immunocompromised patients.

P. alcaligenes - associated with ophthalmic infections, empyema, and endocarditis.

P. fluorescens group - associated with true bacteremia and pseudobacteremia.

P. putida (part of P. fluorescens group) - associated with medical device related sepsis, septic arthritis, and bacteremia following blood transfusions.

P. luteola - associated with bacteremia, endocarditis, meningitis, osteomyelitis, peritonitis, and wound infections

P. mendocina - associated with prosthetic valve endocarditis, and septicemia in immunocompromised patients.

P. oryzihabitans - associated with medical device related infections including intravascular catheter infections, and CAPD peritonitis.

P. stutzeri - associated with otitis media, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, septic arthritis, endocarditis, meningitis (HIV patient), medical device related infections, osteomyelitis, and traumatic wound infections.

Usual Susceptibility Pattern

These organisms are resistant to narrow spectrum penicillins and cephalosporins and have variable susceptibility to TMP/SMX.

They are usually susceptible to aminoglycosides, quinolones, and anti-pseudomonal beta-lactam agents.