Ask A Scientist© Molecular Biology Archive

name       Ian
status     student
age        17

Question - What methods are there of killing
pseudomonas bacteria?

Hi Ian,
Pseudomonas is a "water bug" and lives in flowers,
ponds, sinks and the fresh vegetable section of the
grocery store. The silvery oily sheen seen on the
surface of stagnant water is due to pseudomonas.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa are bacteria that can cause
infections in patients with a weakened immune system.
They can cause lung and eye infections. Cystic
fibrosis patients and AIDS patients suffer from lung
infections frequently. Infections can be treated with
a range of antibiotics (penicillin and others). Eye
infections are frequently seen with people wearing
contact lenses. It has been suggested that Pseudomonas
aeruginosa could live under long natural or artificial
fingernails. This is not a proven fact. Common hygiene
practice (washing hands with soap, thorough drying
with a clean towel) should be sufficient under normal
conditions. In hospitals standard hygienic practice is
also sufficient. Killing of Pseudomonas in water is
more problematic.
Pseudomonas can produce infections in fish (tropical
aquarium!). In that case antibiotic treatment is
needed, ask your vet for advise.
For on-line information, start at the Virtual Museum
for Bacteria, www.bacteriamuseum.org and go to the
file specific on pseudomonas:
http://www.bacteriamuseum.org/species/pseudomonas.shtml

Trudy Wassenaar
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Pseudomonus like any bacteria can be "killed" by various methods. The
method you choose depends on where the bacteria is located. Disinfectants
such as bleach etc. can be used on counters or porcelain surfaces while
autoclaving is the reliable way to eliminate all bacteria from an inanimate
surface. Antiseptics or antibiotics are used for bacteria on or in a living
organism. You need to be more specific as to where the Pseudomonas is before
I can be more specifis as to what you should use.

Peter Faletra
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