Epidemiology of pseudomonas aeruginosa in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a member of the family Pseudomonadaceae, is a gram-negative aerobic rod. P. aeruginosa can grow anaerobically if nitrates are available. Almost all strains are motile by means of a single polar flagellum. It has a predilection for growth in moist environments, probably reflecting its natural existence in soil and water. P. aeruginosa is tolerant of a wide variety of physical conditions, including high concentrations of salts and dyes, weak antiseptics and many commonly used antibiotics. Its growth requirements are so minimal that it can grow in distilled water and even survive in the presence of some disinfectants [1]. Optimal growth occurs in the range of 37.0-42.0 °C, but it can also grow at temperatures higher than 20.0°C [2]. P. aeruginosa grows in a variety of media but does not ferment sugar. These natural properties of the bacterium contribute to its ecological success as an opportunistic pathogen. © 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.