Pseudomonas Infection
Pseudomonas infections are caused by any of several types of the gram-negative bacteria. The bacterium almost never infects uncompromised tissues, yet there is hardly any tissue that it cannot infect if the tissue defenses are compromised in some manner. Pseudomonas is present throughout the world in soil, water, and on the skin of animals and people.Pseudomonas favors moist areas, such as sinks, toilets, pools, and hot tubs, and usually can withstand standard levels of pool chlorination. The bacteria have even been known to live in antiseptic solutions. Pseudomonas can cause minor skin infection or serious, life-threatening illness. The most serious infections from Pseudomonas develop in debilitated and hospitalized people, particularly those with a weakened immune system. People with diabetes are particularly prone to Pseudomonas infections.Bacteremia is common in patients with blood cancer and patients who have pseudomonas infections elsewhere in the body. P . aeruginosa infects the heart valves of intravenous drug abusers and persons with artificial heart valves. The bacterium can cause a more serious ear infection in elderly patients, possibly leading to hearing problems, facial paralysis, or even death.
They can cause ulcers of the cornea that may cause rapid tissue destruction and eventual blindness. Skin and soft tissue. Even healthy persons can develop a pseudomonas skin rash following exposure to the bacterium in contaminated hot tubs, water parks, whirlpools, or spas. This skin disorder is called pseudomonas or "hot tub" folliculitis, and is often confused with chickenpox. Severe skin infection may occur in patients with P. aeruginosa bacteremia. The bacterium is the second most common cause of burn wound infections in hospitalized patients. Necrotizing P aeruginosa pneumonia may occur in other patients following the use of contaminated respirators. Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause severe corneal infections following eye surgery or injury. It is found in pure culture, especially in children with middle ear infections
Causes of Pseudomonas Infection
Common causes of Pseudomonas Infection
- Bacteremia.
- Bone infections.
- Prolonged and premature rupture of membranes.
- Congenital anomalies.
- Prematurity.
- Low birth weight.
Symptoms of Pseudomonas Infection
Common symptoms of Pseudomonas Infection
- Chills.
- Fever.
- Productive cough.
- Difficult breathing.
- Blue-tinted skin.
- Headache.
- Irritability.
- Clouded consciousness.
- Pain.
- Reduced vision.
- Swelling of the eyelids.
- Pus accumulation.
- Appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Tiredness.
- Wheezing.
Treatment of Pseudomonas Infection
Common Treatment of Pseudomonas Infection
- Antimicrobial agents are needed to treat Pseudomonas infections. Two-drug combination therapy (eg, an antipseudomonal beta-lactam antibiotic with an aminoglycoside) usually is recommended for the initial empiric treatment of a pseudomonal infection, especially for patients with neutropenia, bacteremia, sepsis, severe URIs, or abscess formation.
- The organism is usually sensitive to imipenem, penicillin, doxycycline, azlocillin, ceftazidime, ticarcillin-clavulanic acid, and ceftriaxone. Initiate treatment early in the course of the disease. The organism is resistant to ciprofloxacin and aztreonam. Treatment often is prolonged, from 3-12 months.
- Swimmer's ear can usually be prevented by irrigating the ears with a mixture of alcohol and acetic acid before and after swimming. If infection is treated with acetic acid drops and locally applied antibiotics, it usually improves quickly. Hot-tub folliculitis usually goes away without treatment.
- Surgical treatment of pseudomonas infections is sometimes necessary to remove infected and damaged tissue.
- Minor skin infections can be prevented by avoiding hot tubs with cloudy water; avoiding public swimming pools at the end of the day; removing wet swimsuits as soon as possible; bathing after sharing a hot tub or using a public pool; cleaning hot tub filters every six weeks; and using appropriate amounts of chlorine in the water.
- Patients with cystic fibrosis may be given periodic doses of antibiotics to prevent episodes of pseudomonas pneumonia.
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