Pseudomonas aeruginosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pseudomonas aeruginosa |
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| P. aeruginosa on an XLD agar plate. | |
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Pseudomonadaceae
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P. aeruginosa
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| Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Schröter 1872)
Migula 1900 |
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a very common type of bacterium. You can only see these tiny living things with a microscope. It lives in many places, like soil, water, and even on plants.
This bacterium is very good at adapting to different environments. It can use many kinds of materials for food. While it's usually harmless, it can sometimes cause infections. This is especially true for people who are already sick or have a weakened immune system. It can be a challenge to treat these infections because P. aeruginosa can be resistant to some medicines.
Contents
What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a type of bacterium. Bacteria are single-celled organisms. They are some of the smallest and oldest forms of life on Earth. Most bacteria are harmless, and many are even helpful. For example, some bacteria help us digest food.
Where does P. aeruginosa live?
This bacterium is found almost everywhere. You can find it in soil, water, and on plants. It can also live on surfaces in hospitals. Its ability to live in many places makes it very adaptable.
How does P. aeruginosa cause problems?
Normally, your body's defenses keep bacteria like P. aeruginosa from causing harm. But if someone's body is already weak, or if they have an injury, this bacterium can cause an infection. It is known for causing infections in hospitals. These infections can sometimes be hard to treat. This is because the bacteria can become resistant to certain antibiotics.
Images for kids
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Petri dish.
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This image shows how P. aeruginosa makes pigments. It also shows growth on cetrimide agar, the oxidase test, and a Gram stain.
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A dish where Pseudomonas bacteria are growing.
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P. aeruginosa bacteria seen under a microscope after a Gram stain. They look like pink-red rods.
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A white blood cell (neutrophil) eating P. aeruginosa bacteria. This happens when someone has a bloodstream infection.
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The tube on the left shows pyocyanin. This is a green pigment made by P. aeruginosa.
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa glowing under UV light.
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This test shows which antibiotics work against P. aeruginosa. It is done on Mueller–Hinton agar.
See also
In Spanish: Pseudomonas aeruginosa para niños
