Pseudomonas infection: Infection usually with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the versatile “blue-green pus bacteria” that opportunistically infects people, especially those who are immunocompromised.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa rarely affects healthy people and most community-acquired infections are associated with prolonged contact with contaminated water and it is a major cause of hospital acquired (nosocomial) infections.
It tends to infect people with immunodeficiency or burns and those with catheters or on respirators . Infection with pseudomonas can lead to urinary tract infections, sepsis (blood stream infection), pneumonia, pharyngitis, osteomyelitis and many other medical problems.
Pseudomonas colonizes the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and contributes to the chronic progressive pulmonary disease and death rate in CF. It is also a common cause of ‘swimmer’s ear’ and otitis media.
Pseudomonas normally resides in the soil, marshes, and coastal marine habitats. It can survive under conditions that few other organisms can tolerate including some antibacterial gels, it produces a slime layer that resists phagocytosis (engulfment), and it is resistant to lots of antibiotics. Pseudomonas can multiply in an extraordinary assortment of environments including eyedrops, soaps, sinks, anesthesia and resuscitation equipment, fuels, humidifiers and even stored distilled water. It has also been reported in kidney dialysis machines. The characteristic color of the pus is due to a bluish pigment (pyocyanin) and a greenish pigment produced by pseudomonas.