The Divergent Pseudomonas

Pseudomonas spp. are motile, gram-negative, heterotrophic, obligate aerobes that are 1–5 mm length and 0.5–1.0 mm broad. Pseudomonas spp. thrives at 37 °C, but it can also endure temperatures as high as 42 °C. It is a significant soil bacterium, but it is frequently found in water sources that have been contaminated by humans and animals, like sewage and sinks inside and outside of hospitals.

Pseudomonads are able to utilize a wide range of carbon sources, including simple and complex carbohydrates, alcohols, and amino acids. They can survive and multiply in almost any moist environment with little to no organic matter.

Pseudomonas spp. are problematic during infection because it can be challenging to treat as it is frequently resistant to several kinds of antibiotics and therapeutic medicines. Because it rarely infects healthy people, it is frequently referred to as a "opportunistic" infection. Clinically, patients with weakened immune systems, such as those with cystic fibrosis, cancer, AIDS, indwelling medical devices, burn and eye injuries, and diabetic wounds that don't heal, are at the greatest risk.

Pseudomonas spp. are easily identified by their distinctive flat, spreading colony morphology, metallic sheen, and jagged edge, which are frequently linked to colony autolysis. However, depending on the media's composition and the type of infection (chronic or acute), the colonies can present different morphologies.

Here is a brief explanation of the differences between colonies of Pseudomonas spp.

References:

1.Phillips I. Identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the clinical laboratory. J Med Microbiol.          1969 Feb;2(1):9-16.

2.Mackie and Mccartney “Practical medical Microbiology”21st edition, Churchill Livingstone.

3.Wahba AH, Darrell JH. the identification of atypical strains of pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Gen Microbiol. 1965;38:329-42.

4.Haynes WC. Pseudomonas aeruginosa--its characterization and identification. J Gen Microbiol. 1951;5(5 Suppl.):939-50.