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. 2007:1:8-11.
doi: 10.2174/1874285800701010008. Epub 2007 Sep 20.

Molecular Epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Intensive Care Units - A Review

D S Blanc  1 , P Francioli, G Zanetti
Affiliations

Molecular Epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Intensive Care Units - A Review

D S Blanc et al. Open Microbiol J. 2007.

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading nosocomial pathogens in intensive care units (ICU). This opportunist pathogen is commonly recovered from moist environments, and is also found colonizing 2.6 to 24% of hospitalized patients. We reviewed the recent literature that used highly discriminatory typing methods to precisely identify the reservoirs and modes of transmission of this microorganism in the ICU setting. In most ICUs, the endogenous flora was suspected to be the main source of infection compared to exogenous sources (other patients, the contaminated environment such as sinks or taps). However, the percentage of endogenous versus exogenous sources might vary considerably from one setting to another. Reasons for this include the compliance of health care workers to infection control measures, the contamination of the environment, and probably also the biology of the pathogen (intrinsic fitness factors). As P. aerugi-nosa is ubiquitous in the environment and colonizes up to 15% of hospitalized patients, eradication of the reservoir is difficult, if not impossible. Therefore, efforts should primarily focus on reinforcement of infection control measures to limit its transmission.

Keywords: Pseudomonas aeruginosa; intensive care unit; molecular epidemiology.

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Figures

Fig. (1)
Fig. (1)
Schematic representation of the factors contributing to the epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Intensive Care Units. Other patients or contaminated environment are potential exogenous sources of infections. Failure in a disinfection procedure, the use of contaminated product or device are often cited as the source of epidemics. Intrinsic factors of the bacteria (e.g. multidrug-resistance) might also play a role in epidemics. On the other hand, colonization of the gastro-intestinal track, the trachea or the skin are the major endogenous sources of infections. Infections in the patients will occurred only if an opportunity is given to the pathogen (e.g. antibiotic therapy, immuno-supression, port of entry).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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