Mucoid Pseudo

[NoExcuses]

Who here has mucoid Pseudo?

I think that one of my 4 strains is mucoid.

Just curious if it's common or if I'm the freak of nature in the group <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[Emily65Roses]

I have NO idea what mine are. What's the difference?? I've heard of this before, just never took the time to learn the difference.

 

[anonymous]

If I remember Bact101, bacteria are divided into species (like pseudomonas aeruinosa) and types are "below" species. It is my understanding that pseudomonas a. typically begins as a nonmucoid strain in the lungs and becomes (mutates) into a mucoid (more and more "algae-like") strain over time ( <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.dep.anl.gov/p_undergrad/ugsymp/2003Abstracts/Kremer,%20Stefanie.pdf#search='pseudomonas%20aeruginosa%20types%20of%20mucoid'">http://www.dep.anl.gov/p_under...20types%20of%20mucoid'</a> ).

I never quite got it straight as to how they identified a mucoid strain (i.e., type) from labwork. My husband had a mucoid strain. We could just "tell" because when he had a bad exacerbation, his sputum literally looked like green stringing mucusy algae.

-LisaV

 

[anonymous]

another article about change over time
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://jb.asm.org/cgi/content/full/183/18/5395
">http://jb.asm.org/cgi/content/full/183/18/5395
</a>
Hoping someone took Bact 201 and can help out here.
-lisav

 

[NoExcuses]

Mucoid is when pseudo builds a tent around itself to shield itself from antibiotics.

LisaV is correct - its a mutation. If pseudo is constantly exposed to antibiotics, it has the potential to mutate to a mucoid version.

But CFers can also pass mucoid to each other, of course. So if you have mucoid pseudo, dont' assume that it used to be non-mucoid in your lungs - it may have been mucoid all along.

 

[Kanake676]

I have mucoid Psuedo! Huh, thanks for posting the question, I never bothered to ask what it was. Interesting stuff.

And as far as being a freak of nature, I think we all lay claim to that equally <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

 

[LouLou]

I have mucoid pseudo. I've had it at least 10 years.

 

[Emily65Roses]

Okay so after you explained it, I asked my doc. He always emails me right back (*brag brag*). <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> Anyways, he told me I have one mucoid strain of pseudomonas, and two non-mucoids.

 

[NoExcuses]

Emily - what center do you go to?

That's nice that you can email your doc <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

But interesting about the mucoid. In theory its supposed to make antibiotics less effective, but I haven't seen it. And Lauren is 27 and has had it for 10 years.... I'm curious if it has affected you, Lauren?

I think it's a non-issue but I'm really curious how prevalent it is...

 

[LouLou]

I can only guess that the addition of mucoid pseudo. to my regular pseudo is what led to my decline from the 80's to the 70's but who knows really. Then pneumonia of 1999 dashed my pfts a bit as well. It was such a gradual thing - the decline I mean - except for when I had pneumonia. I think I cultured it for the first time in high school. I do remember a difference in my phyglm pre-mucoid days. It was pasty, now it's slick if I rub between a tissue it's slippery feeling. I was on Tobramycin inhaled when I was sick as a youngster (before TOBI was invented) and tons of Bactrum/Septa (same thing?). Also, when I was growing up I could cough up like 10 plugs in one cough now I rarely move a plug...but when I do I'm very fascinated like I think Amy has compared it to popping a zit - same type of fascination/sense of accomplishment.

4 strains of pseudo. Wow! I thought there were only two - mucoidal and non-mucoidal. Amy, what are your other two?

 

[ladybug]

I've had mucoid for at least 3+ years since I started getting the specifics from my doc. I also have the non-mucoid. I'm always just told, "yeah, you're normal" when I question if that's "bad".

And, with regard to being mucoid, I've actually GAINED lung function in the past 4+ years, so it CAN be done!!! (exercise exercise!!!)

<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Emily65Roses]

I'm at Yale New Haven (CT). Adult center.