About Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation. We apply our deep expertise in applied methods to design, test and scale solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time, working across the innovation lifecycle.

First Documented: 1872

Illness Caused: Pneumonia, Various Infections

Antibiotic Resistance: Medium

Virulence: Worrying

Quick to mutate and adapt to counter different antibiotic treatments, Pseudomonas aeruginosa shows an innate ability to develop resistance to antibiotics. Described as ‘opportunistic’ because it primarily affects humans that are already critically ill, this bacteria can cause serious complications in the treatment of AIDS, cancer or cystic fibrosis patients. While it isn’t a massive threat to humanity currently, this bacteria will become an increasing threat over the next few years.