Differentiation between Pseudomonas cepacia and Pseudomonas pseudomallei in clinical bacteriology

If only conventional laboratory tests are used, the widely occurring species Pseudomonas cepacia may, due to its variability, sometimes be difficult to differentiate from the dangerous pathogen Pseudomonas pseudomallei. In a comparative study using fresh isolates it is shown that animal inoculation seems to be a useful additional method in the differentiation. Also the determination of the ability to utilize selected carbon sources such as starch, hydroxybenzoate and uracil is helpful in reaching a correct identification.