So, I have been doing some research on nosocomial pseudomonas infections. I have found several recent articles on this problem. I will share one of them with you here and others will follow.

This article was published in 2009, it follows a trial that ran from 2005 to 2007 in Lucknow, India. I am sure there are many differences between India and the US in terms of nosocomial infections, but I really enjoyed this article and thought it had great significance to my topic.

The aims of the study were to identify sources of pseudomonas in an ICU. Two hundred patients who presented with clinical symptoms of nosocomial infection were randomly selected for this trial. Numerous cultures were taken from various sites and processed looking specifically for Pseudomonas. Cultures were also obtained from surface sites, or fomites, and the hands of the nursing staff.

All diagnosis were made using the CDCs infection criteria. Of the 200 patients admitted, 67 developed a nosocomial infection during their admission. While there were a total of 193 bacteria isolated, Pseudomonas was found to be the most prevalent. Forty five isolates of Pseudomonas were obtained from the patients, and ninety five isolates were obtained from fomites (61) and staff hands (34).

Of the isolates found in patients, there was a large array of resistance. The largest amount (51.7%) were resistant to ceftazidime, while the smallest showed a 28.3% resistance to piperacillin-tazobatam. All isolates collected from clinical fomites showed similar resistance, however isolates obtained from environmental fomites, such as sinks, showed less resistance.

In discussion it was showed that Pseudomonas was the bacteria most responsible for nosocomial infection in this ICU, with a total of 23.3% Infection (44/193). The most common pathogen seen in their patients with pneumonia, UTI and surgical site infection, it was the 2nd most common in blood stream infections. The pseudomonas serotype most commonly seen was serogroup E, which they found in the patients and also on the nurses hands. This information makes a strong case from cross contamination from one patient to the other via the nursing staff.

So in ending this discussion on the above article, I have decided to write a paper on teaching about Pseudomonas. As I have mentioned earlier in this blog, so many other infections seem to be on our minds that Pseudomonas often gets overlooked by nursing staff. Proper hygiene is essential, but also a proper understanding of the prevalence and danger of this particular pathogen needs to be discussed.

Reference: Mayank, D., Anshuman, M., Singh, R., Afzal, A., Baronia, A., & Prasad, K.(2009). Nosocomial Cross Transmission of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa between Patients in a Tertairy Intensive Care Unit. Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology, 52(4), 509-513.