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Pseudomonas aeruginosa

bacteria

Quick Summary

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium belonging to the Pseudomonadaceae family. These rod-shaped cells, typically around 1 micrometer in diameter, are often motile due to flagella. While many pseudomonads inhabit soil and water, P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause serious, antibiotic-resistant infections in humans with weakened immune systems.1

This bacterium is frequently implicated in hospital-acquired infections, particularly in surgical wounds and burns. It poses a significant threat to individuals undergoing cancer treatment with immunosuppressive drugs. P. aeruginosa is also a cause of severe lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis. Unlike Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes pneumonia and meningitis, P. aeruginosa's primary concern is its role as an opportunistic pathogen in vulnerable populations.12

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. pseudomonad
  2. pneumococcus

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