Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Full Name: Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Aliases: P. aeruginosa, HUM bug

Crime family: Bacteria

Crime: Causes urinary tract infections, respiratory system infections, dermatitis, soft tissue infections, bacteremia, meningitis, gastrointestinal infections, etc., especially in burn patients and in cancer and AIDS patients who are immunosuppressed. A serious problem in patients hospitalized with cancer, cystic fibrosis, and burns. Infection can involve any part of the body, and the fatality rate in these patients is nearly 50 percent. Naturally resistant to penicillin and the majority of beta-lactam antibiotics.

Victims: Accounts for 10 percent of all hospital-acquired infections.

Last Known Whereabouts: This bacterium has minimal nutritional requirements and can tolerate a wide variety of physical conditions, even able to grow in environments as harsh as jet fuel. Often harbored in fruits, vegetables, sinks, mops, and certain disinfectants.