Pseudomonas

A genus of motile, polar-flagellate, non–spore-forming, strictly aerobic bacteria (family Pseudomonadaceae) containing straight or curved, but not helical, Gram-negative rods that occur singly. The metabolism is respiratory, never fermentative. They occur commonly in soil and in freshwater and marine environments. Some species are plant pathogens. Others are involved in human infections. The type species is P. aeruginosa. [pseudo- + G. monas, unit, monad]

- P. acidovorans a bacterial species found in water, soil, and occasionally in clinical specimens.

- P. aeruginosa a bacterial species found in soil, water, and commonly in clinical specimens (wound infections, infected burn lesions, urinary tract infections); the causative agent of blue pus; occasionally pathogenic for plants; usually causes infections in humans in whom there is a defect in host defense mechanisms. It is the type species of the genus P.. SYN: blue pus bacillus.

- P. cepacia SYN: Burkholderia cepacia.

- P. diminuta a bacterial species found primarily in clinical specimens, rarely in water.

- P. fluorescens a bacterial species found in soil and water; it is frequently found in clinical specimens and is commonly associated with food spoilage (eggs, cured meats, fish, and milk).

- P. mallei SYN: Burkholderia mallei.

- P. maltophilia species now called Xanthomonas maltophilia. See Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

- P. piscicida a bacterial species pathogenic for fish.

- P. pseudoalcaligenes a bacterial species found in a sinus discharge.

- P. pseudomallei SYN: Burkholderia pseudomallei. SYN: Whitmore bacillus.

- P. putrefaciens former term for Alteromonas putrefaciens.

- P. stutzeri a bacterial species found in soil and water, frequently in clinical specimens.

- P. vesicularis a bacterial species found in the medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) and in water from a stream.

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pseu·do·mo·nas .süd-ə-'mō-nəs, sü-'däm-ə-nəs n

1) cap a genus (the type of the family Pseudomonadaceae) comprising short rod-shaped motile gram-negative bacteria including some saprophytes, a few animal pathogens, and numerous important plant pathogens

2) pl pseu·do·mo·na·des .süd-ə-'mō-nə-.dēz, -'män-ə- PSEUDOMONAD

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n.

a genus of rodlike motile pigmented Gram-negative bacteria. Most live in soil and decomposing organic matter; they are involved in recycling nitrogen, converting nitrates to ammonia or free nitrogen. The species P. aeruginosa is pathogenic to humans, occurring in pus from wounds; it is associated with urinary tract infections. P. pseudomallei is the causative agent of <

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Pseu·do·mo·nas (soo″do-moґnəs) [pseudo- + Gr. monas unit, from monos single] a genus of gram-negative bacteria of the family Pseudomonadaceae, consisting of straight or curved rods that are motile by polar flagella. Most species are strict aerobes and some produce pigments; some are fluorescent. The organisms are usually saprophytic, being found in soil, water, and decomposing matter; some are pathogenic for plants and animals. Historically, many unrelated bacteria were classified in the genus. More recently, this genus has been restricted to species related to the type species P. aeruginoґsa.