Expert: Walter Hintz - 11/13/2007

Question
Good Evening,
I am working on identifying my unknown bacteria that I obtained from my dogs mouth.  I am down to Phenylobacterium and Pseudomonas (as the genes).  Which direction should I research.  I am stuck.  Thank you!!

Answer
If you have narrowed it down to the Genus that is as far as you will be able to go without special media to determine the species. Google Pseudomonas to see what tests are used. The most common species is P. aruginosa.
I am curious as to how you determined these Genera.  Did you gram stain.  Pseudomonas is a common soil inhabitant and could be found in a dogs mouth but Phenylbacterium is not. Pseudomonas is a pathogen so be careful with cultures of it.