Current approach to prevention and treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in burned patients

Abstract

The extensively burned or severely injured patient is at increased risk of wound infection as well as of infection of other organs as a result of various degrees of impairment of host defense mechanisms. The incidence of burn wound and other infections increases as the severity of injury increases. The ease with which gram-negative, opportunistic organisms, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa of either endogenous or exogenous origin, can colonize and invade the immunosuppressed patient demands an active infection-surveillance program. Topical therapy for burn wounds with any of three available agents has significantly reduced the occurrence of invasive pseudomonas burn-wound sepsis, but none of the agents sterilize the burn wound, and the microbial flora of the burns of any given patient may escape from control and invade viable tissue. Clinical identification and biopsy confirmation of invasive burn-wound sepsis necessitates changes in both wound and general care, with surgical and antibiotic treatment guided by the extent and depth of wound invasion. Immunologic prophylaxis and treatment of pseudomonas infections, although attractive, remain of unverified clinical effectiveness. Effective treatment of pseudomonas septicemia secondary to invasive burn-wound sepsis and of pseudomonas infections in other organs is dependent on early diagnosis, appropriate antibiotic therapy guided by sensitivity testing, and adequate surgical intervention when required.