Phenotype of virulence, multidrug resistance, and disinfectant tolerance of a clinical isolate of Pseudomonas fluorescens

Authors

Keywords:

Nosocomial, Pathogenicity, Pathogen, Pseudomonas, Resistence

Abstract

Pseudomonas fluorescens has emerged as a multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogen, raising concerns about the risk of nosocomial infection. The study aimed to characterize the virulence phenotype, antimicrobial resistance pattern, and disinfectant tolerance of a P. fluorescens strain isolated from a hospital-acquired infection. Antibiotic resistance, virulence factors (enzymes, pigments, motility elements, and thermal stress), and sensitivity to conventional disinfectants were evaluated using phenotypic assays. The P. fluorescens strain showed an adaptive pathogenic potential at 37 ºC, characterized by the expression of enzymes (hemolysin and phospholipase), pigment production (pyoverdine and pyocyanin), flagellar motility, and extended multidrug resistance against 16 antibiotics (from eight different families). Tolerance of P. fluorescens varied by the disinfectant (P ≤ 0.05); the silver solution and aerosol sanitizer demonstrated biocidal activity. The simultaneous expression of virulence factors and multidrug resistance in the P. fluorescens strain at physiological temperature suggests its potential as a nosocomial hazard. The silver solution and aerosolization are proposed as alternative strategies for designing a sanitation protocol.

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Author Biographies

  • Martínez-Valenzuela M., Unidad de Investigaciones en Salud Pública Dra. Kaethe Willms. Facultad de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa

    She is a Professor/Researcher at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa and holds a Ph.D. in Sciences from the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos. She is a member of SSIT as an Honorary Researcher. She has published 7 articles in indexed journals, with 47 citations and an h-index of 3 to date. She has participated in 10 national and international conferences. Throughout her academic career, she has supervised 1 undergraduate thesis in the field of Health Sciences. Contact e-mail: marcelamv@uas.edu.mx

     

  • Clemente-Soto A.F., Unidad de Investigaciones en Salud Pública Dra. Kaethe Willms. Facultad de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa

    He is a Professor/Researcher at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa and holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacy from the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos. He is a Candidate-level member of the National System of Researchers and Research Fellows (SNII), a member of SSIT as an Honorary Researcher, and holds PRODEP recognition. He has published 14 articles in indexed journals and 1 article in a peer-reviewed journal, accumulating 241 citations and an h-index of 5 to date. He has participated in 11 national and international conferences. Throughout his academic career, he has supervised 3 undergraduate theses in the fields of Chemistry and Biology. Additionally, he is currently developing a research project funded through the Basic Science and Frontier Science programs of SECIHTI. Contact e-mail: aldoclemente@uas.edu.mx

     

  • Castañeda-Ruelas G.M. , Facultad de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa

    She is a Professor/Researcher at the Faculty of Chemical and Biological Sciences of the Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa and holds a Ph.D. in Sciences from the Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo. She is a member of the SNII at Level 1, of the SSIT as an Honorary Researcher, and holds a PRODEP Profile. She has published 25 articles in indexed journals and 3 in peer-reviewed journals, having accumulated to date 201 citations and an h-index of 8. She has participated in 103 national and international conferences. Throughout her career, she has supervised 60 undergraduate theses, 5 master’s theses, and 2 doctoral theses in the area of Microbiology. Contact e-mail: gloria.ruelas@uas.edu.mx

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Published

2026-08-21

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No. 5 (2026): QUIBIOUAS Revista de Ciencias Químico Biológicas

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How to Cite

Martínez-Valenzuela, M., Clemente-Soto, A. F., & Castañeda Ruelas , G. M. (2026). Phenotype of virulence, multidrug resistance, and disinfectant tolerance of a clinical isolate of Pseudomonas fluorescens. QUIBIOUAS Revista De Ciencias Químico Biológicas, 5, 54-62. https://revistas.uas.edu.mx/index.php/QBU/article/view/1996