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Review
. 2021 Dec;81(18):2117-2131.
doi: 10.1007/s40265-021-01635-6. Epub 2021 Nov 7.

The Epidemiology and Pathogenesis and Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections: An Update

Dan Reynolds  1 , Marin Kollef  2
Affiliations
Review

The Epidemiology and Pathogenesis and Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections: An Update

Dan Reynolds et al. Drugs. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that is a common cause of nosocomial infections, particularly pneumonia, infection in immunocompromised hosts, and in those with structural lung disease such as cystic fibrosis. Epidemiological studies have identified increasing trends of antimicrobial resistance, including multi-drug resistant (MDR) isolates in recent years. P. aeruginosa has several virulence mechanisms that increase its ability to cause severe infections, such as secreted toxins, quorum sensing and biofilm formation. Management of P. aeruginosa infections focuses on prevention when possible, obtaining cultures, and prompt initiation of antimicrobial therapy, occasionally with combination therapy depending on the clinical scenario to ensure activity against P. aeruginosa. Newer anti-pseudomonal antibiotics are available and are increasingly being used in the management of MDR P. aeruginosa.

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Conflict of interest statement

None to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mechanisms of virulence and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Figure Created with BioRender.com
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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