First time isolation of Pseudomonas argentinensis from human skin infection

Abstract

This reported the first isolation of Pseudomonas argentinensis from a human infection, since the discovery of P. argentinensis in 2005. A Palestinian 63-year male practicing gardening on sunny days with exposed arms and legs had experienced recurrent skin infections of forearms and legs. The skin infection progressed from small itchy red rash into fluid-filled vesicles within three days. One type of bacteria was recovered from culture samples of these vesicles. The infection was treated successfully with 2% fucidine. Using the Universal Method, the isolate (labeled as QUBC88) was identified as Pseudomonas argentinensis. The patient’s son had suffered a similar skin infection while gardening in a different continent. The inability of the isolate QUBC88 to grow at 37°C may explain its inability to cause systemic infection. Future skin infections of the patients will be followed up to determine if the infectious agent is the same, related, or not related to P. argentinensis. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2014;4(2): 78-83.