Micro| Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

3.26 Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Microbiology review for the USMLE Step 1 Exam Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an encapsulated gram-negative oxidase positive rod that causes a variety of diseases. It can be found in soil, hospitals, and water, and it particularly likes water. P. aeruginosa can enter the body through contact with water, inhalation of respiratory droplets, or by medical equipment. The symptoms of infections caused by P. aeruginosa are caused by the toxins it secretes, including phospholipase C, exotoxin A, and endotoxin. P. aeruginosa causes community-acquired infections such as hot tub folliculitis, otitis externa, lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients, osteomyelitis, and skin infections. It causes nosocomial infections such as ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. P. aeruginosa is associated with skin infections in burn victims