Pseudomonas aeruginosa

An aerobic, oxidase-positive, gram-negative, bacillus that produces a blue-green pigment (pyocyanin) and has an odor of trimethylamine (urine-like). It is ubiquitous in nature and has been isolated environmentally from fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, solutions, body lotions, faucets, sinks, soil, sponges, mops and water. It has been isolated from the respiratory tract, burns, wounds, blood, urogenital tract, spinal and joint fluid of humans. It is a major cause of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections.

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