Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa eye infections by ultraviolet light

Pseudomonas aeruginosa elaborates several pigment fractions that fluoresce in ultraviolet light. This fact has been used by surgeons in burn units so that treatment of subclinical P aeruginosa infections may be initiated promptly. We have determined the minimum in vitro concentration of two strains of this organism that exhibit ultraviolet light fluorescence and have applied this principle to the early detection of P aeruginosa eye infections.