Effect of temperature on antimicrobial susceptibilities of Pseudomonas maltophilia.

After a case of peritonitis caused by Pseudomonas maltophilia had occurred 20 strains of the organism were investigated and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of a variety of antibiotics determined at 30 degrees C and 37 degrees C. There was a significant difference in susceptibility between 30 degrees C (most resistant) and 37 degrees C (most susceptible) for aminoglycosides and polymyxin B. No difference was seen with the other agents or in strains of Ps aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae tested under similar conditions. The possible mechanisms of this phenomenon are discussed below.