A 35-year-old woman comes to the emergency department due to an itchy rash that appeared earlier this morning. She recently returned from a family vacation at a resort in Cancun. Two days ago, the patient's husband developed similar symptoms. The patient has no significant past medical history and takes no medications. She has no known allergies. Her temperature is 37.6 C (99.7 F). On examination, there is a diffuse, pruritic, papulopustular rash that is most noticeable on the trunk and extremities. Microbiologic analysis of a pustular fluid sample demonstrates oxidase-positive gram-negative rods that produce pigment on culture medium. Which of the following is the most likely source of this patient's infection?

Question

A 35-year-old woman comes to the emergency department due to an itchy rash that appeared earlier this morning.  She recently returned from a family vacation at a resort in Cancun.  Two days ago, the patient's husband developed similar symptoms.  The patient has no significant past medical history and takes no medications.  She has no known allergies.  Her temperature is 37.6 C (99.7 F).  On examination, there is a diffuse, pruritic, papulopustular rash that is most noticeable on the trunk and extremities.  Microbiologic analysis of a pustular fluid sample demonstrates oxidase-positive gram-negative rods that produce pigment on culture medium.  Which of the following is the most likely source of this patient's infection?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: "Hot tub folliculitis" is a superficial and self-limited Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of the hair follicles that tends to occur in minor outbreaks following exposure to a pool or spa in which the chemicals have not been maintained at appropriate concentrations.  Pseudomonas are gram-negative, oxidase-positive, nonlactose-fermenting, motile rods that produce green pigment.

A 35-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Emergency Department Due to an Itchy