Picture 34

This picture shows a Gram stain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Morphology: Gram negative rods, do not ferment glucose and lactose, are oxidase positive, produce pyocyanin and pyoverdin

Route of transmission: Fomites and food

Investigations: Gram stain, culture in MacConkey's agar or Triple Sugar Iron medium

Diseases:

Pneumonia

Urinary tract infection

Wound infection

Septicemia

Meningitis

Otitis externa

Endophthalmitis

Osteomyelitis

Treatment:

Due to varied antibiotic resistance, choices for empirical treatment include the aminoglycosides (eg. gentamicin and tobramycin), some third generation cephalosporins (eg. ceftazidime and cefoperazone), extended spectrum penicillins (eg. piperacillin, azlocillin and carbenicillin), carbapenems (eg. imipenem and meropenem), and fluoroquinolones (eg. ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin) until results of sensitivity tests are known.

 

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