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Pneumonia caused by a newly recognized pseudomonad in a child with chronic granulomatous disease
J A Trotter1, T L Kuhls, D A Pickett
1Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City.
Abstract:
A pseudomonad was isolated from the pleural fluid and pulmonary decortication tissue of a 5-year-old child with chronic granulomatous disease. Although the isolate was phenotypically similar to Pseudomonas cepacia, its biochemical profile was more similar to that of Pseudomonas pickettii biovar 2. Its slow growth rate, ability to hydrolyze urea rapidly, and lateral and polar flagellar pattern were suggestive of Oligella ureolytica (formerly CDC group IVe). The cellular fatty acid composition was similar to that of P. cepacia and Pseudomonas gladioli, except for the presence of dodecanoic acid. Numerical analysis of the fatty acid data supported the interrelatedness of the isolate with other species of the pseudomallei group (rRNA homology group II) of Pseudomonas. The organism described in this report is an addition to the growing list of catalase-positive organisms which can potentially cause severe morbidity in patients with chronic granulomatous disease.
Insights
A novel pseudomonad strain was identified in a child with chronic granulomatous disease. This catalase-positive bacterium shares characteristics with multiple Pseudomonas species, highlighting diagnostic challenges.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Clinical Bacteriology
Background:
- Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) predisposes patients to severe infections, often caused by catalase-positive bacteria.
- Accurate identification of bacterial pathogens is crucial for effective treatment in immunocompromised individuals.
Observation:
- A pseudomonad was isolated from a 5-year-old CGD patient's pleural fluid and pulmonary tissue.
- The isolate exhibited phenotypic traits resembling Pseudomonas cepacia but biochemical profiles closer to Pseudomonas pickettii biovar 2.
Findings:
- Key characteristics including slow growth, rapid urea hydrolysis, and a specific flagellar pattern suggested Oligella ureolytica.
- Cellular fatty acid analysis revealed similarities to P. cepacia and P. gladioli, with the notable presence of dodecanoic acid.
- Numerical analysis of fatty acid data supported its relation to the Pseudomonas pseudomallei group (rRNA homology group II).
Implications:
- This finding expands the list of potential pathogens in CGD patients.
- The complex phenotypic and genotypic characteristics underscore the challenges in bacterial identification and the need for comprehensive analysis in immunocompromised hosts.