The galU Gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is required for corneal infection and efficient systemic spread following pneumonia but not for infection confined to the lung.

Acute pneumonias and corneal infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa are typically caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-smooth strains. In cystic fibrosis patients, however, LPS-rough strains of P. aeruginosa, which lack O antigen, can survive in the lung and cause chronic infection.