Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a free-living pathogen commonly found in soil and water. It often multiplies in an enriched aquatic environment. The presence of the bacteria in drinking water may indicate a serious impairment of the water treatment system. Therefore, its presence can be used to evaluate the general cleanliness and quality of water.
P. aeruginosa is a pathogen which rarely infects a healthy host but colonizes damaged systems such as burn wounds or physically impaired eyes. It can inhibit urinary or respiratory tract of people with underlying disease. It can lead to serious disease in immunosuppressed people causing even death. P. aeruginosa presence in high numbers in swimming pools and hot tubs can also lead to rashes and superficial infections of the outer ear canal.
