A few members are pathogens, such as species of Pseudomonas, Moraxella, and Acinetobacter, which may cause disease in humans, animals and plants.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause chronic opportunistic infections that have become increasingly apparent in immunocompromised patients and the ageing population of industrialised societies.

The genome sequences of several pseudomonads have become available in recent years and researchers are beginning to use the data to make new discoveries about this bacterium.

[1] The genus Acinetobacter is a group of Gram-negative, nonmotile and nonfermentative bacteria belonging to the family Moraxellaceae.

Acinetobacter species are able to survive on various surfaces (both moist and dry) in the hospital environment, thereby being an important source of infection in debilitated patients.