What is the Difference Between E. Coli and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa?

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E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are both gram-negative, rod-shaped, and motile bacteria, but they have some key differences in classification, habitat, and physiology:

  1. Classification:
  • E. coli belongs to the genus Escherichia and the family Enterobacteriaceae.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa belongs to the genus Pseudomonas and the family Pseudomonadaceae.
  1. Habitat:
  • E. coli is a facultative anaerobic bacterial species and is part of the normal gut flora.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an aerobic bacterial species and is part of the normal skin flora.
  1. Physiology:
  • E. coli is a facultative anaerobe, meaning it can grow in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an obligate aerobe, meaning it requires oxygen to grow.
  1. Flagella:
  • E. coli has peritrichous flagella, meaning they are found all over the cell surface.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa has a single flagellum at the polar end of the cell.

Both bacteria can cause infections and diseases, with E. coli being the most frequently implicated bacteria in urinary catheter-related infections, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes diseases in animals and plants and is commonly found in skin flora, water, and soil.

Comparative Table: E. Coli vs Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

E. Coli and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa are both encapsulated, rod-shaped, gram-negative bacteria, but they have some key differences in their classification, family, genus, and other characteristics. Here is a table summarizing the differences between E. Coli and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa:

Characteristic E. Coli Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Scientific Name Escherichia coli Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Family Enterobacteriaceae Pseudomonadaceae
Genus Escherichia Pseudomonas
Habitat Found in food, intestines of people and animals, and surrounding environments Found in soil and most man-made surroundings
Oxygen Requirement Facultative anaerobic Aerobic
Flagella Peritrichous flagella Single flagellum
Respiration Ferments lactose and is oxidase-negative Does not ferment lactose and is oxidase-positive
Color Not mentioned Blue-greenish due to the pigment Pyoverdin and Pyocyanin
Habit Mesophilic, found in normal gut flora Obligate aerobe, found in normal skin flora
Virulence Factors Exotoxin A, phospholipase C, endotoxin Not mentioned

Both bacteria are known to cause infections and disorders, but some strains of E. Coli are harmless, whereas Pseudomonas Aeruginosa is known to thrive under both low-oxygen and normal conditions.