Incidence and identification of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas putida in the clinical laboratory

Strains of Pseudomonas producing fluorescin but no pyocyanin or pyorubrin were studied by biochemical and antibiotic sensitivity testing. A rapid nitrate test was found to be useful in distinguishing P. aeruginosa (positive) from P. fluorescens and P. putida (both negative). A shortened gelatin test differentiated P. fluorescens (positive) from P. putida (negative). P. fluorescens and P. putida were very sensitive to low levels of kanamycin and resistant to carbenicillin, a pattern just the opposite of that obtained with P. aeruginosa.