Pseudomonas luteola is an opportunistic pathogen, found ubiquitously in damp environments. Originally designated in the genus Chryseomonas, the species has since been reassigned to the genus Pseudomonas.
Pseudomonas luteola is a Gram-negative, motile aerobe. Its motility is created by multitrichous flagella. They grow as rods of 0.8 μm to 2.5 μm.[1] Colonies produce a yellow-orange pigment. Optimal temperature for growth is 30 °C. Importantly for classification, it grows best on heart infusion agar supplemented with 5% horse blood.[2] It is also able to grow on TSA, Nutrient Agar, Mac Conkey or CASA Agar.[1]
Pseudomonas luteola can absorb certain heavy metals such as Cr(VI) and Al(III).[3] Both ions are found in industrial wastewaters.[3] These metals are specifically targeted by P. luteola strain TEM05.[3] Under relatively acidic conditions (pH: 4 and 5 for each ion respectively).[3] Experiments indicated a maximum adsorption capacity of 55.2 mg g−1 for Al(III) and 3.0 mg g−1 for Cr(VI).[3]
This same strain is also known to produce an exopolysaccharide (EPS) utilized in the adsorption of nickel and copper.[4] In order to adsorb Ni and Cu at significant levels, the strain must be immobilized in a calcium alginate beads. With this enhancement, maximum adsorption capacities range from 45.87 to 50.81 mg g−1 and 52.91–61.73 mg g−1, respectively.[4]
The pathogenic form of Pseudomonas luteola is a saprophyte.[1] It is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause bacteremia, meningitis, prosthetic valve endocarditis, peritonitis in humans and animals.[1] P. luteola is registered by the CDC as group Ve-1.[2] Most strains are susceptible to broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, aminosids, and ciprofloxacin.[2] However, infections associated with foreign material are highly resistant, and infected prostheses have to be removed if possible.[2]