The organism is an opportunist, and is a serious problem in immunosuppressed, neutropenic, debilitated, or burned patients. It is the cause of death for a large number of individuals with cystic fibrosis. It produces a number of potential virulence factors, particularly exotoxin A, but the role any of the factors play in the various infections caused by pseudomonas is not known. Although the activity is identical to the activity of diphtheria toxin, the two protiens are different. The organism is not hard to identify due to a number of colorful pigments it produces and its characteristic fruity or grape-like odor.
Treatment is difficult due to broad spectrum antibiotic resistance.