Blue-Green warrior

¿WHAT ARE YOU?

• Gram-negative, oxidase-positive, aerobic rod
• Motile, non-lactose fermenting
• Produces pyocyanin (blue pigment) and pyoverdin (green)
• Smells like grape Kool-Aid (yes, seriously)

Pseudomonas literally means “false unit”, a term microbiologists used to describe bacteria that resembled other motile rods but didn’t quite fit the mold. 

They said: you look like a regular bacillus… but you’re not fooling us.

Aeruginosa means “full of copper rust”, a reference to the distinctive blue-green pigment it produces — specifically pyocyanin and pyoverdin.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen which causes serious problem in cystic fibrosis lungs (Necrotizing pneumonia).

It doesn’t just cause pneumonia. This pathogen can also cause Ecthyma gangrenosum (immunocompromised), Hot tub folliculitis (Rexaled), malignant otitis externa, burn wound infections, and even microbial keratitis (yes, those contact lenses aren’t as innocent as they look 🙄- Humor sense broken)

He’s everywhere — and he knows it.

🛡 The source of his force:

1. Low outer membrane permeability
2. Efflux pumps (active against β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines)
3. AmpC β-lactamase (inducible chromosomal β-lactamase)
4. Target site modification (e.g., DNA gyrase, PBPs)
5. Biofilm formation (especially in CF lungs and on devices)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa =

"False unit full of rust" → A motile Gram-negative rod known for its blue-green pigment, oxidative damage, resistance armor, and undeniable grudge against ICU patients.

🦠 Qin, S., Xiao, W., Zhou, C., Pu, Q., Deng, X., Lan, L., Liang, H., Song, X., & Wu, M. (2022). Pseudomonas aeruginosa: pathogenesis, virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, interaction with host, technology advances and emerging therapeutics. Signal transduction and targeted therapy, 7(1), 199. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-022-01056-1

***NOTE: AmpC is a A subtype of beta-lactamase that hydrolyzes β-lactam antibiotics, including cephamycins (e.g., cefoxitin and cefotetan).