Which organism can cause folliculitis from dermal contact with pool water?

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Multiple Choice

Which organism can cause folliculitis from dermal contact with pool water?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the organism most commonly linked to folliculitis from pool water exposure. It thrives in warm, moist environments like inadequately maintained pools and hot tubs, allowing it to colonize the water and invade hair follicles after contact with skin. The resulting infection presents as itchy, red bumps or pustules on exposed areas and is classically called pool- or hot-tub folliculitis. In contrast, the other organisms are associated with different problems: Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium cause gastrointestinal illness after ingesting contaminated water, not skin infections. Legionella pneumophila is linked to inhalation of aerosols from contaminated water sources and can cause Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever, not folliculitis from direct dermal contact.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the organism most commonly linked to folliculitis from pool water exposure. It thrives in warm, moist environments like inadequately maintained pools and hot tubs, allowing it to colonize the water and invade hair follicles after contact with skin. The resulting infection presents as itchy, red bumps or pustules on exposed areas and is classically called pool- or hot-tub folliculitis.

In contrast, the other organisms are associated with different problems: Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium cause gastrointestinal illness after ingesting contaminated water, not skin infections. Legionella pneumophila is linked to inhalation of aerosols from contaminated water sources and can cause Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever, not folliculitis from direct dermal contact.

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