Final answer:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a pathogen found in water and soil and that thrives in inadequately disinfected warm, moist environments, has been associated with infections from pedicure thrones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pathogen that has recently been associated with pedicure thrones is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This gram-negative bacterium is commonly found in water and soil and can cause various infections including those affecting the skin. P. aeruginosa is known for causing hot tub rash and other opportunistic infections in wounds and burns, as it thrives in warm, moist environments that are not properly disinfected. In pedicure thrones, if the water and the equipment are not adequately sanitized, it can lead to similar infections in the skin, especially in the areas of the feet and legs immersed during a pedicure. P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen introduced through trauma or other breaks in the skin barrier that can be spread in various ways, including from poor maintenance of recreational water facilities and improper cleaning protocols in spas or salons. Moreover, while pathogens like Staphylococcus epidermidis, which is part of the normal skin microbiota, are generally harmless, they can cause serious infections when introduced to the bloodstream via medical devices or by other means of physical intrusion.