Pseudomonas aeruginosa

What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative, motile, rod shaped bacterium. The bacterium is capable of both aerobic and anaerobic growth. It is abundant in various types of moist environments and can adapt to numerous others. This opportunistic pathogen is commonly associated with hospital-acquired infection, most notably in immunocompromised individuals. Pseudomonas aeruginosaaccounts for 10% of all hospital-acquired infections. Specifically, this bacterium is the second most frequently recovered pathogen from intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

 

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be found in the following:

• Moist environments such as soil and water

• Lakes, streams, rivers, and other fresh waters

• Potable water sources such as sinks and showers

• Fresh fruits and vegetables

• Hot tubs

• Respiratory therapy equipment

• Catheters, dialysis tubing, and respiratory devices

 

 

Exogenous from the environment: Contaminated water in a hospital setting can transmit Pseudomonas aeruginosa to patients through the following ways:

• Direct contact with the water, either through ingesting or bathing

• Inhalation of aerosols

• Medical devices rinsed with the contaminated water

• Indirect contact from contaminated surfaces via health worker’s hands

Notably, Pseudomonas aeruginosa can survive from six hours to 16 months on dry, inanimate surfaces in hospitals.

Endogenous from the gastrointestinal tract of the patient: Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be a commensal in the intestinal tract after eating uncooked vegetables and fruit. Fresh vegetables often contain large amounts of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on its external surface, probably via soil contamination.