In a study recently led by Brent C. Christner, the principle researcher of the Christner Research Group at Louisiana State University, rain and snow were found to contain the bacteria Pseudomonas. Though previous research had shown that bacteria played a big part on the amount of rain and snowfall, the identification of this particular bacteria raises new concerns.

This gram-negative bacteria grows naturally in plants, marshes, and animal tissues, and can cause serious infections in humans. Pseudomonas can invade any part of the body such as the blood, skin, bones, ears, eyes, urinary tract, heart valves, and lungs. People with burns, diabetes, and cystic fibrosis, along with debilitated and hospitalized people who may have a weakened immune system, are at a higher risk of contracting infections which can include;

*Ear infection
*Diarrhea
*Eye lesions and ulcers
*Urinary tract infections
*Pneumonia
*Sinusitis
*Gangrene
*Blood infections
*Meningitis
*Brain abscess
*Congestive heart failure

According to a research paper on eMedicine titled, 'Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infections', "Pseudomonal infections are treated with a combination of an antipseudomonal beta-lactam (eg, penicillin or cephalosporin) and an aminoglycoside." In addition, because, "Pseudomonas causes a wide spectrum of diseases..., prognosis is varied." Health care professional recommendations for prevention include;

*Double antibiotic therapy should be instituted in accordance with the local susceptibility patterns because burn centers may harbor Pseudomonas resistant to multiple drugs.
*Strict isolation is required for patients with severe burns.
*Pseudomonas can multiply in nebulizer fluid; therefore, proper cleaning, sterilization, and disinfection of reusable equipment are required.
*Patients should be educated about good hygiene.
*Relapses are common in meningitis, and re-treatment may be necessary.
*Carefully monitor patients for adverse effects of medications.

In the article, 'Ubiquity of Biological Ice Nucleators in Snowfall', published in Science journal, results from samples collected from Antarctica to Louisiana, showed that bacteria, "Were transported from long distances, are abundant in fresh snow samples,
and are ubiquitous in precipitation from worldwide locations." Because this bacteria has also been linked to crop diseases, the study provides important clues to as to how it is spread, which in turn, could help in the eradication of destructive, economic agricultural effects.



Ubiquity of Biological Ice Nucleators in Snowfall

Christner Research Group

Pseudomonas Genome Database

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infections