Pseudomonas putida

Pseudomonas putida is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium of the family Pseudomonadaceae.

Pseudomonas putida causes increased nosocomial infection, including among intensive care patients and in the event of immunodeficiency. The following diseases can be caused by this pathogen:

  • Wound infections

  • Pneumonia

  • Urinary tract infections

  • Skin infections

  • Meningitis

  • Sepsis

Pseudomonas putida is ubiquitously distributed in soil, water, plants, and in animals. The bacterium is a biofilm former.

Relevance of pathogen in transmission in endoscopy

  • Gastroenterology: Not relevant

  • Pulmonology: High

  • Ear, nose, and throat: Not relevant

  • Urology: Low

Relevance for endoscope surveillance

  • High concern organism

Transmission route

Transmission occurs via contact infection, via contaminated water, contaminated infusion or transfusion solutions, and possibly aerogenic.

Poor water quality can also cause the spread and transmission of this pathogen in healthcare facilities. Break-offs of Pseudomonas putida biofilms in water pipes can contaminate the water and lead to the spread of the pathogen. Thus, a recontamination of a previously reprocessed endoscope may also occur during final rinsing.

Resistance to antibiotics

Pseudomonas putida shows high rates of resistance up to multi-resistance to beta-lactams, carbapenems, and aminoglycosides, among others.