Pseudomonas mosselli: A Case Series on Its Potential as a Rare Opportunistic Pathogen in Immunocompromised Patients

Background: Pseudomonas mosselli is a Gram negative, rod-shaped, aerobic, non-sporing and motile bacterium co-existing in the soil with plants, protecting them from fungal and bacterial infections by producing diverse molecules and causing rare opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts. Most common presentations of respiratory infection caused by this isolate include fever, respiratory distress and purulent cough. Satisfactory antibiotic coverage and early diagnosis mostly leads to complete recovery of the patient.

Cases: Three cases have been included in our case series of which case 1 had type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and hypertension and was also diagnosed SARS- CoV-2 positive by RT-PCR (Real time polymerase chain reaction), case 2 had Takosubo cardiomyopathy, an immunological disorder with impending heart failure and case 3 suffered from advanced renal failure due to rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis on weekly dialysis and steroid therapy. Pseudomonas mosselii from the respiratory samples of the patients admitted to a tertiary care centre were identified by the culture characteristics, biochemical reactions and species identification, performed by Matrix assisted laser desorption / ionization- time of flight- mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).

Conclusion: Pseudomonas mosselii causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. Respiratory infections caused by it are highly drug susceptible and can be easily overcome by administration of appropriate antibiotic treatment followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing.