Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Authors: Shigeki Fujitani, M.D., Kathryn S. Moffett, M.D., Victor L. Yu, M.D.
Infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is common, with the burden of infection in
hospitalized patients. The National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) System reports P. aeruginosa to
be the second most common organism isolated in nosocomial pneumonia (17% of cases), the third most
common organism isolated in both urinary tract infection (UTI) and surgical site infection (11% of cases), and
the fifth most common organism isolated from all sites of nosocomial infection (9% of cases) (179). P.
aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen which rarely causes disease in healthy persons. This organism is
commonly considered in the differential diagnosis of a number of gram-negative infections. It is associated with
nosocomial infections, often severe and life-threatening, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Chronic
infection leads to progressive lung disease in cystic fibrosis, frequently complicated by antimicrobial resistance.
If present in large enough numbers of inocula, or there is trauma with a break in epithelium, P. aeruginosa can
cause infection in a healthy host. While animal models suggest that both humoral and cell-mediated immunity
are involved in host defense against P. aeruginosa, the most important host defense is the
neutrophil.

MICROBIOLOGY
P. aeruginosa is an aerobic gram-negative bacterium and P. aeruginosa is typified by motile, non-spore forming
rods that are oxidase positive and lactose nonfermenters. P. aeruginosa is a member of the genus
Pseudomonas, colloquially called the pseudomonads. The water-soluble pigments, pyocyanin and pyoverdin,
give P. aeruginosa its distinctive blue-green color on solid media. P. aeruginosa produces indophenol oxidase,
an enzyme that renders them positive in the “oxidase” test, which distinguishes them from other gram-negative
bacteria. The presence of polar flagella and pili gives P. aeruginosa motility.
Like many environmental bacteria, P. aeruginosa live in slime-enclosed biofilms which allow for survival and
replication within human tissues and medical devices. Associated with the production of a biofilm protects P.
aeruginosa from host-produced antibodies and phagocytes contributing to antibiotic resistance of this
organism.
The P. aeruginosa organism thrives in moist environments such as soil and water. It can be found in large
numbers on fresh fruits and vegetables. Human colonization begins within the gastrointestinal tract, with
subsequent spread to moist cutaneous sites such as the perineum and axilla. It forms smooth fluorescent
green colonies at 42oC, with a characteristic sweet (grape-like) odor, making it easy to recognize on solid
media in the laboratory.
As a group, pseudomonads have minimal nutritional requirements. Many are capable of using a wide variety of
environmental sources for nutrition; P. aeruginosa often only needs acetate and ammonia as the source of
carbon and nitrogen, respectively. In additionP. aeruginosa can grow anaerobically, and does not carry out
fermentation, rather obtaining energy from the oxidation of sugars. The flexible nutritional requirement permits
its growth in marginal environments. They are difficult organisms to eradicate from areas that become
contaminated, such as operating rooms, hospital rooms, clinics, and medical equipment (59).
EPIDEMIOLOGY
P. aeruginosa, first isolated in 1882 by Gessard from green pus. The ubiquitous life-style of P.
aeruginosa allows this bacterium to contribute to frequent infections in humans. It is a highly adaptable
bacterium, with soil being the primary habitat; howeverP. aeruginosa also survives in aquatic environments. Its
nutritional diversity allows for P. aeruginosa to survive toxic waste degradation.
P. aeruginosa is an important plant pathogen, affecting lettuce, tomatoes, and tobacco plants. It can be found
in fresh water environments (streams, lakes, and rivers), as well as sinks, showers, respiratory equipment,
even contaminating distilled water (68). Human beings can ingest the P. aeruginosa from such sources;
however it does not adhere well to normal intact epithelium. Therefore it may be found as part of normal
intestinal flora, and with a healthy immune system, P. aeruginosa does not cause infection (59).
The temperature in hot tubs favors Pseudomonas reproduction, with a hot tub containing up to 100 million
organisms per milliliter. P. aeruginosa is adaptable; it finds the hospital and intensive care unit environments
accommodating, with reservoirs of P. aeruginosa developing in the water in respiratory equipment. Due to its
intrinsic and acquired resistance to many common antimicrobial agents, P. aeruginosa can be cultured from
hand creams, hand-washing sinks, and certain cleaning solutions. Respiratory therapy equipment and dialysis
tubing, both of which require a wet, body-temperature environment, are particularly susceptible to
contamination by P. aeruginosa. Multi-use vials of respiratory medications have been implicated in spread of P.
aeruginosa due to contamination with the organism. Artificial fingernails or extenders are not recommended for
use by healthcare workers due to the frequent finding of P. aeruginosa colonization of the fingernails.
Pseudomonads can even survive in some antiseptic solutions used to disinfect endoscopes and surgical
instruments (35, 59, 68, 123, 228).
In a recent analysis of 24,179 adults with nosocomial bloodstream infections in the United States from 1995 to
2002, P. aeruginosa accounted for 4% of cases, and was the third leading cause of gram-negative infection
(230). In children in the pediatric intensive care (PICU), the incidence of nosocomial infection was 1.5 per 100
patient-days. Patients with cardiac surgery had the highest nosocomial infection rate, 2.3 per 100 patient-days.
Bacteremia (51.7%), respiratory infection (19.0%) and urinary tract infection (17.2%) were the most frequent
nosocomial infections observed, and these were associated with use of invasive devices. Coagulase-negative
staphylococci (39%) and P. aeruginosa (24%) were the most common organisms isolated (232).
P. aeruginosa is involved in a variety of human infections ranging from neonatal sepsis, to burn sepsis, and
acute and chronic lung infections. This organism is a common opportunistic pathogen, leading to infections in
patients with defects in host defenses, such as chronic neutropenias and defects of neurtrophil function,
hematologic cancers, human immunodeficiency (HIV)/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and
diabetes mellitus. In addition chronic pulmonary disease is common in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Neutropenia
The role of P. aeruginosa in febrile, neutropenic patients is a very real threat. Despite a diminished role of P.
aeruginosa as a cause of sepsis since the 1980’s, P. aeruginosa may account for one-third to one-half of gram-
negative bacteremia in these patients. The decrease in infections due to P. aeruginosa may be attributed to the
change in clinical practice over the past twenty five years, with aggressive early use of anti-Pseudomonal
antimicrobials in the febrile neutropenic patient. However when P. aeruginosa infection occurs, mortality is as
high as 50-70%.
Neutropenia remains an important predisposing factor to serious P. aeruginosa infections. Patients with human
immunodeficiency virus infection or solid-organ transplant recipients receiving myelosuppressive therapies
such as ganciclovir should be carefully monitored for decreases in neutrophil count. Patients who become
neutropenic should receive granulocyte colony stimulating factors to enhance neutrophil counts. In general,
immunosuppressed patients who develop signs or symptoms of serious gram-negative infections should
receive high doses of anti-Pseudomonal antibiotics.

HIV/AIDS
P. aeruginosa has been increasingly recognized as nosocomial and community-acquired infections among both
adults and pediatric patients with HIV/AIDS (73, 147, 200, 213), with low CD4 lymphocyte counts (3, 220). In a
study of 4825 patients with HIV, P. aeruginosa infections were diagnosed in 1.5% (72) patients. Respiratory
infection accounted for 47% (34/72), with an overall incidence was 0.07%. Risk factors for a higher rate of P.
aeruginosa infection include prior hospitalization and receipt of both dapsone and
trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX). Azithromycin use decreased the risk of infection by nearly 70%.
Cystic Fibrosis
The cystic fibrosis (CF) patient is not immunocompromised in the typical sense; the genetic defect is on
chromosome 7, leading to the abnormal production of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance
Regulator (CFTR) protein, consequently with malfunction of the chloride channel on the cell surface. Chronic
airway infection is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis, and P. aeruginosa
is the most significant pathogen in cystic fibrosis (28, 50). This organism infects approximately 60 percent of
cystic fibrosis patients overall, with an 80% prevalence in the group of patients 18 years of age and older (51).
It is believed in cystic fibrosis patients that the organism is acquired from environmental sources, however
cystic fibrosis-patient-to- cystic fibrosis-patient spread of P. aeruginosa has occurred.
Both the presence of P. aeruginosa and its phenotype (e.g., developing a mucoid biofilm due to production of
alginate as well as high-level resistance to multiple antibiotics) have been shown to correlate with severity of
patient illness (55). This mucoid property predicts chronic infection that cannot be cleared. CF patients with P.
aeruginosa have a decreased life expectancy of 30 years, compared with 40 years in non-colonized patients.
They also experience a more rapid decline in pulmonary function and more frequent hospitalizations (72). On
the other hand, anti-Pseudomonal therapy that decreases sputum colonization is associated with improved
pulmonary function and improvement in clinical scores (174) [See chapter on Cystic Fibrosis & P.
aeruginosa.] P. aeruginosa in the paranasal sinuses in cystic fibrosis patients frequently leads to acute and
chronic infections, commonly complicated by nasal polyps. P. aeruginosa is otherwise an extremely rare finding
in the sinuses in the non-cystic fibrosis population.
Contaminated Medical Devices/Equipment
Clusters of P. aeruginosa bacteremia/ sepsis following procedures such as endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopy, ophthtalmic devices, and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) have
been related to inadequate cleaning or disinfection of reusable medical devices. One cluster of postoperative P.
aeruginosa ocular infections occurred when an internal tubing system of automated cataract surgical
equipment became contaminated (35, 49, 122).
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Sepsis is a frequent infection in premature infants. P. aeruginosa is isolated in approximately 1% of culture-
proven causes of early onset sepsis (infection occurring <7 days of life) in very low birth weight preterm infants;
mortality from infections with P. aeruginosa is 37% (205). In late-onset sepsis (occurring after 7 days of age) in
very low birth weight infants, P. aeruginosa accounts for 2.7% of all infections, with mortality as high as 74.4%
(204). Infection by P. aeruginosa in all premature infants was associated with 52.3% mortality, significantly
higher than the 13.7% to 23.8% fatality from other gram-negative bacilli (87).

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
Infections in humans due to P. aeruginosa can be divided into opportunistic infections and those infections
occurring in a healthy host. P. aeruginosa infections occur when the immune system is breached, either locally
or systemically. Human hands infrequently are colonized with P. aeruginosa; however hospitalization increases
the likelihood of finding the bacteria on intact skin. Therefore skin colonization can lead to bacteremia from
catheter-related infection, or gastrointestinal colonization can lead to aspiration and pneumonia. Splashing of
water from a contaminated sink, or droplets suctioned from a colonized endotrachial tube, can easily facilitate
spread of P. aeruginosa. In the normal host, P. aeruginosa, in the proper setting can cause locally invasive
disease. Large inocula of the bacteria can overwhelm normal defenses and lead to infection.
Urinary Tract Infections
P. aeruginosa, a common cause of nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTI’s), represents 7% of nosocomially-
acquired UTIs in North America and Europe These infections are associated with an indwelling catheter,
instrumentation of the urinary system, chronic prostatitis, nephrolithiasis, as well as prior antibiotic therapy.
Community-acquired UTI’s are rarely caused by P. aeruginosa (97). In those persons with a neurogenic
bladder, or in children with frequent infection from vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), P. aeruginosa UTI infection may
occur. P. aeruginosa should be suspected in break-through infections in the urinary tract, especially in a host
recently and/ or currently receiving antimicrobial agents, due to its nature to be resistant to many common
antibiotics. In the elderly, urosepsis from P. aeruginosa may also follow acquisition of a simple UTI. Treatment
regimens depend upon the presence of structural abnormalities or indwelling catheter(s), evidence of
systemic sepsis, as well as the site of involvement, and prior antibiotic use. Eradication of the organism
remains challenging and requires elimination of the predisposing factors in addition to antibiotic therapy.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)

Infection due to P. aeruginosa is generally a rare cause of CAP (100), mainly occurs in HIV-infected patients,
solid organ or bone marrow transplant recipients, or patients with neutropenia. However in a recent series of
community-acquired bacterial pneumonia in adults, P. aeruginosa caused nearly 7% of the lower respiratory
track infections. Nearly all of these patients had a preexisting risk factor for P. aeruginosa infection (9). Sicker
adult patients have a high prevalence of severe CAP caused P. aeruginosa as well as Legionella
pneumophilia (175).
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)
P. aeruginosa ranks as the leading cause of ventilator-associated intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired
pneumonia, accounting for nearly 21% of cases (179). Spread/aspiration of bacteria to the lower respiratory
track leads to a ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) by P. aeruginosa (161, 162, 221). Infection is common
in those who have chronic disease, require respiratory/ventilatory assistance, have cystic fibrosis, or are
immunocompromised, such as with cancer and neutropenia and/or hypogammaglobulinemia, (9, 12, 57).
Occasionally, P. aeruginosa, is accompanied by bloodstream infection, septic shock, and acute respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS) as a complication. The dramatic onset of septic shock, followed by death within
hours that occurs in some immunocompromised patients with P. aeruginosa bacteremia, is a memorable
experience for any observer. However, apart from the appearance of ecthyma gangrenosum, P.
aeruginosa bacteremia is usually indistinguishable clinically from other forms of gram-negative bacteremia.
Near universal colonization with P. aeruginosa occurs in adults intubated > 5 days; colonization of tracheotomy
sites in adults and children too is common. Risk factors for adults developing VAP include: antibiotic exposure,
use of H2-receptor blockers, advanced age, reintubation, and transport from the ICU while intubated. In
children in the pediatric intensive care unit three independent risk factors for pediatric VAP include:
immunodeficiency, immunosuppression, and neuromuscular blockade (232). In patients with tracheostomy
receiving short-term mechanical ventilation, P. aeruginosa can become a common pathogen (177).
Endocarditis
Infective endocarditis (IE) due to P. aeruginosa is uncommon, occurring primarily in patients with injection drug
use (IDU), with regional epidemics in midwestern U. S. cities (110, 111). Clusters of cases of IE occur
particularly in abusers of pentazocine and tripelennamine, likely due to mixing of drugs with contaminated
water. IE in patients with IDU frequently have no preceeding valvular or heart disease. The specific heart valve
involved is important with respect to clinical manifestations, therapy, and prognoses (88). Infection of the
tricuspid valve may have a more subacute presentation, likely due to lower bacterial densities from lower
oxygen tension on the right side of the heart. Infection of the mitral valve may present more acutely, with more
severe systemic sepsis-like manifestations. In addition, valvular dysfunction may lead to congestive heart
failure, and may dictate need for surgical intervention.
Other factors predisposing to Pseudomonas endocarditis include the presence of a prosthetic valve or other
intravascular foreign body, underlying malignancy, chemotherapy, and prolonged neutropenia. Increasing
reports of Pseudomonas endocarditis following prolonged hospitalization associated with prosthetic
endovascular devices (i.e. pacemakers) have been noted (8, 89, 130,180).
Meningitis
Central nervous system (CNS) infection due to P. aeruginosa meningitis is extremely rare, unless there has
been penetrating trauma to the head, placement of a CNS shunt (such as a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt), or
postneurosurgical procedures (36, 144, 145). Often meningitis or ventriculitis associated with CNS shunts is
caused by a mixed bacterial infection, including multiple aerobic gram-negative bacteria, including P.
aeruginosa. Gram-negative bacterial infection must be considered, especially when erosion or perforation of
the bowel has occurred from a VP shunt catheter, leading to an ascending CNS infection.
In a case series of gram-negative bacterial meningitis, 21% (14 cases) were due to P. aeruginosa. Eight of
these 14 cases were postneurosurgical and the overall mortality of Pseudomonas meningitis was 35.7% (144).
Mortality is highest if infection results from bacteremia in an immunosuppressed host, underlying infective
endocarditis, or malignant otitis externa. Cure is more likely if the meningitis results from neurosurgical
procedures involving hardware, such as VP shunts, drains, or reservoirs. An additional group of patients at risk
for meningitis secondary to P. aeruginosa bacteremia is those receiving hemodialysis (38).
Ocular Infections
P. aeruginosa is frequently a cause of infection associated with contaminated contact lens solutions. In
addition, eye trauma and recent ophthalmic surgery, as well as contact lens use, are risk factors for sight-
threatening infections from P. aeruginosa, leading to corneal ulcerations, keratitis, and endophthalmitis. In
addition, cases of orbital cellulitis and endophthalmitis due to P. aeruginosa have resulted as a complication of
sepsis in neonates, patients with hematologic malignancy, and HIV/AIDS (23, 148, 173, 228).
Ear Infections
There are three major ear infections caused by P. aeruginosa.
Perichondritis of the Ear
With the recent fashion of ear piercing, perichondritis of the auricle due to P. aeruginosa infections has become
more common. The pinna may be markedly swollen, red and tender, with infection progressing to necrosis of
the cartilage. It is felt that the decreased oxygen tension in the auricle may be more conducive to infection by P.
aeruginosa.
Otitis Externa
Often known as swimmers’ ear, otitis media externa from P. aeruginosa causes a local infection of the external
ear canal. Simple otitis media external is associated with warm, humid atmospheric conditions, aural water
exposure, and ear canal trauma which may occur with frequent swimming, or when maceration or trauma
occurs to the ear canal epithelium. Pain is found in 97.2% (13). Inflammation can be secondary to dermatitis
only or it can be caused by active bacteria. Acute otitis externa can occur acutely and become painful. Wax in
the ear can swell and block the canal and dampen hearing to varying degrees, creating a temporary conductive
hearing loss. In more severe or untreated cases, the infection can rarely spread to the adjacent soft tissues,
such as parotid gland and the jaw joint, making chewing painful.
Malignant External Otitis
Malignant (necrotizing) otitis media external is a subset of osteomyelitis caused by P. aeruginosa in which the
temporal bone and skull base is involved (92). Patients with diabetes mellitus and advanced age (above 60
years) are at risk for necrotizing otitis externa, perhaps due to a higher pH in diabetic cerumen, and
microangiopathy in the ear canal. Otitis externa may also complicate myringotomy tube placement, leading to a
chronic otorrhea and subsequent removal of the ear tubes (183). Malignant otitis media external has also been
reported in patients with HIV/AIDS.
In malignant external otitis, classic signs of infection including fever, leukocytosis, and systemic toxicity are
notably absent, thus making diagnosis difficult. Otalgia followed by severe and often excruciating headache is
the most common presenting symptom. Cranial nerve dysfunction, especially facial nerve palsy, is a late
complication. Diagnosis rests on the findings of bony erosion and soft tissue abnormalities of the temporal bone
and infratemporal fossa on computed tomographic (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), elevated
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and isolation of P. aeruginosa from the external auditory canal or
mastoid in a patient with a recalcitrant headache (91). In a 1-year prospective comparison, MRI was found to
be slightly better than CT at distinguishing medial skull base disease, by delineating changes in the fat content
of the marrow (91, 108).
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
There are seven major skin and soft tissue infections caused by P. aeruginosa.
Hot Tub Folliculitis
Hot tub follculitis is an infection involving the hair follicles can occur as a result of bathing in a contaminated
tub. If there inadequate chlorination, P. aeruginosa thrives at the higher temperature environment of hot tubs.
Normal hosts with intact skin are affected predominantly in body sites covered by bathing suits, although areas
of skin that have abrasion or have recently been shaved, may be at increased risk of infection (34). With a high
enough inoculum of P. aeruginosa in the water, normal host defenses are overwhelmed, resulting in infection in
immunocompetent hosts (47). Exposure of the head and external auditory canal may result in facial folliculitis
or otitis media externa.
Puncture Wounds/Osteomyelitis
Puncture wounds, especially a nail or sharp object through a tennis shoe/sneaker into the plantar aspect of the
foot, and lacerations and trauma occurring in fresh water streams and lakes, may lead to infection caused by P.
aeruginosa. Soft-tissue infection, as well as osteocondritis, septic arthritis, and/or osteomyelitis of the
traumatized bone or joint may occur.Hematogenous osteomyelitis/septic arthritis due to P. aeruginosa in
children is extremely rare. More frequently osteomyelitis is found in intravenous drug users with P.
aeruginosa bacteremia. Osteomyelitis does occur frequently as a polymicrobial infection in diabetics with foot
ulcers, from local trauma and direct inoculation of the organisms(s).
Foot Infections
The moist interdigital areas of the feet are ideal sites for colonization with P. aeruginosa. When these areas
become infected with dermatophytes, or suffer other trauma to the dermal barrier, secondary bacterial invasion
can readily occur.
Green Nail Syndrome
Patients with chronic onycholytic nails who have prolonged immersion exposure to fresh water may develop the
green nail syndrome. This characteristic green discoloration is almost always a complication of onycholysis or a
chronic paronychia and is usually restricted to one or two nails. Fungi and P. aeruginosa are frequently isolated
from the nail. The green color is due to the pigment pyocyanin adhering to the undersurface of the nail plate
with accumulated debris below the nail (93).
Ecthyma Gangrenosum
Ecthyma gangrenosum is a cutaneous manifestation of serious infection due to P. aeruginosa usually
associated with bacteremia and sepsis. The lesions of ecthyma gangrenosum involve skin or mucous
membranes, resulting from perivascular bacterial invasion of the adventicia of arteries and veins, leading to
secondary ischemic necrosis. The painless skin lesions of ecthyma ganrenosum may be multiple, with rapid
evolution through stages of macules, nodules, vesicles, and ulcerative eschars; the erythematous nodular
lesion evolves into a hemorrhagic, ulcerative and necrotic area. Although not pathognomonic for P.
aeruginosainfection, the finding of ecthyma raises the probability of P. aeruginosa systemic infection.
Occasionally other skin lesions may occur with dissemination of systemic P. aeruginosa infection. These
include macular papular lesions, clusters of pustules, cellulitis that mimics erysipelas, and soft-tissue
abscesses. Many lesions become necrotic over time. The lesions contain little, if any, pus. In children the
lesions may be more likely to be present on the perineum and buttocks.
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis has been well-described in neutropenic and diabetic hosts (129). Cellulitis due to P.
aeruginosa occurs at sites of damage to the dermal barrier, such as puncture sites or surgical wounds.
Pyoderma occurs when a preexisting lesion of the skin becomes colonized and subsequently invaded by P.
aeruginosa. In patients with facial cellulitis, the mucous membrane of the mouth is often the initial site of
infection with subsequent spread to subcutaneous tissue and blood. Rapid progression to gangrene
mandates vigorous surgery including extensive debridement and resection (129, 223). Exfoliative skin
diseases, venous stasis ulcers, and eczema may predispose to infection. Rare skin disorders such as
epidermolysis bullosa may be susceptible to chronic skin infection from P. aeruginosa. Severity of infection may
range from a simple localized, nonnecrotic cellulitis to a necrotizing, gangrenous process with associated
bacteremia in an immunocompromised host. P. aeruginosa can be cultured from the purulent discharge, but
clinical manifestations of erythema, tenderness or warmth should differentiate infection from colonization.
Infection may be acute and invasive, or may follow a chronic indolent course.
Burns
Pseudomonas colonization in a patient with severe burn wounds is acquired when normal skin/respiratory/
gastrointestinal flora is replaced by hospital flora; typical infections from P. aeruginosa occur several weeks
after the initial burn. Colonization may be abetted by broad spectrum topical and/or systemic antibiotics. A trend
toward a reduction in infection in the burn patient due to P. aeruginosa in the last two decades has been seen.
Culture of the burn wound may not differentiate wound colonization from true invasive disease, necessitating
biopsy and quantitative cultures to differentiate colonization (227). The fruity or grape-like odor associated
with P. aeruginosa can be observed in wounds heavily colonized with the organism. Burn sepsis is typically
associated with positive blood cultures and significant morbidity and mortality.

LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS
P. aeruginosa is easily cultured in the microbiology laboratory and is easily recognized by on a variety of
media, with its spreading, flat colonies with serrated edges and metallic sheen. The characteristic: (1) fruity,
sweet-grape smell, sometimes corn/taco-like odor, (2) elaboration of green pigment which is a combination of
the yellow (pyoverdin) and blue (pyocyanin) pigments, giving the culture a characteristic bright green color, and
(3) nonfermentive, oxidase-positive properties, help to easily confirm its presence on culture plates. The
mucoid appearance of P. aeruginosa strains is pathopneumonic for chronic colonization/infection of these
bacteria in cystic fibrosis respiratory specimens. Infrequently a rotten-potato odor or the lack of pigment may
delay identification of the organism.P. aeruginosa can grow easily between 20oC and 43oC. Growth at higher
temperatures may help to distinguish P. aeruginosa from other gram-negative organisms and other
pseudomonads.
P. aeruginosa must be differentiated from other lactose non-fermenting gram-negative rods. These species
includeBurkholderia, Stenotrophomonas, Comamonas, Shewanella, Ralstonia, Methylobacterium,
Sphingomonas, Acidovorax and Brevundimonas. Within the Pseudomonas genus these bacteria include P.
aeruginosa, as well as P. uorescens, P. putida, P. stutzeri, andP. mendocina. Members of the
genus Pseudomonas can be differentiated from other genera on the basis of cellular fatty acid composition.
The different Pseudomonas species can be distinguished biochemically. Biochemically, P. aeruginosa can be
confidently identified on the basis of (1) a positive oxidase test, (2) a triple sugar iron agar reaction of alkaline
over no change, and (3) growth at 42oC. Other key biochemical characteristics include oxidation of glucose but
not disaccharide, hydrolysis of acetamide, and reduction of nitrates to nitrogen gas.

PATHOGENESIS
P. aeruginosa is typically an extracellular pathogen. The growth in tissue depends on its ability to resist
ingestion by neutrophils. P. aeruginosa produces a wide variety of virulence factors, and employs survival
techniques to survive, which include:
 polar flagella, which are critical for motility in initial stages of pulmonary infection, activate IL-8
production by binding to toll-like receptor on the surface of airway epithelial cells, and facilitate
adherence to epithelial and eukaryotic cells with pile/ non-piling adhesions (polar pili) (2, 189);
 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) adhesion moiety, which acts as a signal through toll-like receptors and
has 3 parts:

1. lipid A (also known as endotoxin, interacts with host cell receptor to initiate the
inflammatory response),

2. core oligosaccharide (interacts with the CFTR on epithelial cells, leading to bacterial
innate immune resistance to the pathogen)
3. O-antigen side chains (responsible for resistance to normal human serum, detergents,
and some antibiotics) (10, 98,181);
 exotoxin A which is an ADP-driven toxin, causes direct tissue damage and necrosis;

 extracellular proteases called LasA, LasB, and alkaline protease, which all degrade elastin;

 type III secretion system that allows direct manipulation of host cell function by injecting virulent
proteins directly into the cell (189); • leukocidin which destroys neutrophils;
 innate antibiotic resistance due to limited permeability of the outer membrane, as well as numerous
multidrug resistanceefflux pumps; and
 acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes readily from other bacteria by transformation, conjugation,
and transduction (Navon).

In chronic infections of P. aeruginosa additional strategies are employed by the bacteria that include:
 biofilm formation, which prevents host defenses and antibiotics from reaching the bacteria;
 quorum sensing, which is the production of autoinducers, to activate transcription of a number of
genes that faciliattae cell-to-cell communication; and

 alginate production of a mucopolysaccharide or mucoid appearance, with an altered LPS and lipid
A, which serve to hide the organism from the immune system (pathopneumonic of chronic infection
in cystic fibrosis respiratory isolates of P. aeruginosa).
Several strategies are employed by P. aeruginosa to obtain scarce nutrients during infection. These include:
 production of siderophores, pyochelin, pyoverdin, and pyocyanin which chelate iron, to support
bacterial metabolic processes and control the expression of other P. aeruginosa virulence factors,
such as exotoxin A, endoprotease and pyoverdine (131,149, 209, 218); and
 hemolysins such as phospholipase C and lecithinase, which hydrolyze phospholipids from the host
cell membrane to release phosphate in an available form (189).
All these mechanisms induce local inflammation and tissue destruction, enabling P. aeruginosa to get the
nutrients it needs, and invade the host. The antimicrobial resistance of P. aeruginosa is a predisposing factor in
treatment failure and the biofilm mode of growth provides protection from antibiotics (59).

SUSCEPTIBILITY IN VITRO AND IN VIVO

Numerous antibacterial agents have potent in vitro activity against P. aeruginosa including the third generation
cephalosporins (cefoperazone, cefsulodin and ceftazidime, but not cefotaxime or ceftriaxone), fourth generation
cephalosporins (cefepime, cefpirome, cefclidin), extended spectrum penicillins (ticarcillin, piperacillin, azlocillin),
monobactams (aztreonam); carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem), quinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin,
gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin), and aminoglycocides (gentamycin, amikacin, tobramycin, colimycin). The addition of
beta-lactamase inhibitors to extended spectrum penicillins (ticarcillin/clavulanate and piperacillin/tazobactam)
does not enhanced anti-Pseudomonal activity. The comparative in vitro susceptibilities of anti-Pseudomonal
agents are given in Table 1.
P. aeruginosa has notable intrinsic mechanisms of resistance and is capable of acquiring multiple mechanisms
of antibiotic resistance. Three mechanisms of resistance predominate: production of beta-lactamases, loss of
outer membrane proteins, and upregulation of efflux pumps. During treatment of an invasive infection from P.
aeruginosa, there is concern about development of resistance with a single antimicrobial agent (169). Multiple
cases of beta-lactam antibiotic resistance developing during therapy have been documented in human and in in
vivo models. Resistance is believed to arise from selection of resistant mutants as well as the induction of beta-
lactamases (14, 15, 115, 134). In the hospital setting, multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa are common, often with
simultaneous resistance to ciprofloxacin, imipenem, ceftazidime and piperecillin (137). Synergy between
enhanced production of beta-lactamases and decreased outer membrane permeability may occur in species
of P. aeruginosa.
The intrinsic resistance of P. aeruginosa to a number of antibiotics, including first-, second-, and many third-
generation cephalosporin, penicillins, and macrolides, in addition to the acquisition of resistance during therapy,
assists in bacterial virulence. Rates of multidrug resistance (resistance to >= 3 antimicrobial agents), known as
multi-drug resistant P. aeruginosa (MDR- P. aeruginosa), increased in the United States from 7.2% in 2001 to
9.9% in 2003 (121, 157). Risks factors for MDR- P. aeruginosa infection include prolonged hospitalization,
exposure to antimicrobial therapy, and immunosuppressed states such as HIV/AIDS (81). Delay in initiation of
proper anti-Pseudomonal antibiotics is associated with a worse outcome. Knowledge of the local and regional
drug resistance patterns is important when choosing empiric therapy for treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.
Antibiotic resistance is currently one of the most important problems faced by caregivers, especially in cystic
fibrosis patients. Multiply antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa were identified in 11.6% of cystic fibrosis patients in
a large multicenter study of patients with moderate disease (28, 191) and even testing for synergistic
combination of agents in these resistant organisms failed to identify potential therapy for 17% (191). The
presence of antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa not only limits potential antimicrobial treatment, but can also
preclude patients from eligibility for lung transplantation and other potentially life-saving modalities. An
additional concern is that the introduction of new antimicrobial agents is contributing to the emergence of other,
intrinsically antibiotic resistant pathogens that may be associated with increased morbidity in cystic fibrosis.
A significant concern about the emergence of resistance during therapy with prolonged intermittent inhaled
tobramycin, in treatment of chronic P. aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis patients, has also been raised.
Microbiology data at completion of the phase 3 trials of inhaled tobramycin demonstrated some decrease in
susceptibility of P. aeruginosa isolates in association with treatment, with no increase in the isolation of
B. cepacia, S. maltophilia, or A. xylosoxidans. The number of strains defined as resistant according to standard
criteria increased in the tobramycin group, although there is no evidence of selection of the most resistant
isolates to become the most prevalent. Although low level resistance may not impact the efficacy of inhaled
tobramycin, it could significantly decrease the activity of parenteral drug alone or in synergistic combinations
(29). Current antimicrobial strategies may also be contributing to the increased rate of isolation of other
pathogens, including intrinsically antibiotic-resistant organisms. Currently studies are monitoring resistance
patterns of bacteria isolated in cystic fibrosis sputum to determine the impact of years of chronic intermittent
inhaled tobramycin.
Antibiotic testing, for sensitivity and resistance is determined according to guidelines set by the Clinical and
Laboratory Standards Institute,(41) formerly known as National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards
(NCCLS). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values are defined for each antibiotic tested, and is
characterized by determining the MIC50 and the MIC90 for allP. aeruginosa isolates. The MIC50 is be defined
as the median MIC value; the MIC90 is defined as the concentration that inhibits 90% of isolates (41). MIC
values are clinically relevant when tissue/ fluid concentrations of the antibiotic at the site of infection are able to
be measured, as in CSF concentrations in the treatment of a CNS shunt infection (217).

Mechanisms of Resistance
Beta-lactamase Production
The major mechanism of resistance by P. aeruginosa to beta-lactam antibiotics is beta-lactamase production.
Both chromosomally-mediated and plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases characteristically produce AmpC-type
which mediate resistance to the third generation cephalosporins and the monobactam, aztreonam. Examples of
other beta-lactamases produced include TEM, SHV, PER, PSE and OXA, including some with expression as
an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL).
Recent appearance of transferable beta lactamases, metalloenzymes, may hydrolyze cephalosporin and
carbapenem antibiotics (164, 199). Two major variants are IMP and VIM-type enzymes, originally discovered in
Japan, and now found worldwide (212). The proportion of P. aeruginosa isolates from the United States which
are resistant to imipenem is increasing. In the year 2000, 17.7% of P. aeruginosa isolates from patients in ICUs
in the United States tested as part of the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) program were
resistant to imipenem.
Resistant to the carbapenems by P. aeruginosa can be associated with lowered permeability of the bacterial
outer membrane due to loss of the D2 porin protein (170). This porin protein facilitates the passage of only
carbapenems, but not other beta-lactams, therefore resistance to other antimicrobial agents does not occur
(214). Alteration in penicillin-binding proteins is a very rare cause of resistance which has been seen to emerge
with therapy for P. aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis (85).
Upregulated Efflux Pumps
Efflux pumps are active transport mechanisms which move or pump antibiotics out of the bacterial cell,
mediating antibiotic resistance. The most relevant efflux pump, MexAB-OprM, facilitates resistance.
Upregulation of the MexAB-OprM efflux pump system results in diminished susceptibility to quinolones, anti-
Pseudomonal penicillins, and cephalosporins (139). The regulation of efflux pumps appears to occur in tandem
with the regulation of outer membrane protein proteins. A single operon (mexA, mexB, oprK) facilitates
resistance to quinolones, beta-lactams, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol by way of drug efflux (169). Outer
membrane proteins (OprK) may be involved in this energy-dependent process.
Aminoglycoside-Modifying Enzymes
Aminoglycoside resistance in P. aeruginosa is most commonly due to aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes
(aminoglycoside-inactivating enzymes) which are coded by genes on plasmids of the chromosome. The
aminoglycosides can be inactivated by acetylation of an amino group by acetyltransferases, by adenylation of a
hydroxyl group by adenyltransferases, or by phosphorylation of a hydroxyl group by phosphotransferases. At
least 14 different aminoglycoside modifying enzymes can be produced by P. aeruginosa, the most common of
which is acetyltransferase (188). Modification of the aminoglycoside results in poor binding to the ribosome, the
site of action of this class of drug.
Reduced uptake of the aminoglycoside into the bacteria has also been described as a mode of resistance in P.
aeruginosa. In some cases this has been the mechanism of emergence of resistance during therapy. Cross-
resistance for all aminoglycosides generally results, but the level of resistance is less than that resulting from
enzymatic modification. Intergeneric lateral gene transfer of 16S rRNA methylase gene (rmtA gene) from some
aminoglycoside-producing microorganisms to P. aeruginosa occurs (234).
Other Mechanisms
Fluoroquinolones act by inhibiting the activity of DNA gyrase enzymes, which consist of two subunits, A and B.
Resistance of P. aeruginosa to quinolones is a chromosomally mediated process, without plasmid-mediated
resistance found. Alterations in Gyr B have been found in other bacteria but not P. aeruginosa. Infrequently,
resistance occurs from decreased penetration of outer membrane, due to mutations in the genes nal B, nfx
B or nfx C (104).
A unique relationship between P. aeruginosa and the macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, and
azithromycin) exists. Intrisically resistant to P. aeruginosa, macrolides appear to have benefit in modulating
chronic infection. Macrolides may exert their effect on the host by modulation of immune response or by
disturbing/interrupting the biofilm. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
demonstrated that azithromycin treatment was associated with clinical improvement in patients with cystic
fibrosis infected chronically with P. aeruginosa (69, 82, 118, 192, 233). An animal study suggested that a
combination of the action of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), quorum sensing inhibitors, and
conventional antibiotics may eliminate the biofilm-forming bacteria before a chronic infection was established
(19).

ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY
Drugs of Choice
The choices for treatment for P. aeruginosa infections include the following antimicrobial agents, with the
fluroquinolones being the only oral options:
• Aminogylcosides (amikacin, tobramycin, gentamicin)
• Carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem, doripenem)
• Cephalosporins, third-generation (cefoperazone, cefsulodin, ceftazidime, but
not cefotaxime or ceftriaxone)
• Cephalosporins, fourth-generation (cefepime, cefpirome, cefclidin)
 • Fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin)
• Monobactam (aztreonam)
• Extended-spectrum penicillins (ticarcillin and/or ticarcillin-clavulanate, piperacillin and/or piperacillin–
tazobactam,azlocillin).
• Polymyxin B/Colistin

The fluoroquinolones are not approved for use in children < 18 years of age, due to concerns about growth
plate issues in the puppy animal model. Experience with use of the fluoroquinolones in cystic fibrosis in
children, as well as other infectious diseases, has demonstrated safety. Consensus guidelines for
fluoroquinolone use in children by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) were published in 2006, giving
validity to their use in the cystic fibrosis pediatric population, as a way to treat P. aeruginosa in the ambulatory
setting (43). Consultation with a pediatric infectious disease specialist may be warranted in these situations.
Choice of anti-Pseudomonal therapy and dosage (see Table 2) will depend on the site and severity of the
infection as well as the underlying condition of the patient.
Polymyxin B/Colistin
The development of better-tolerated anti-Pseudomonal agents since the 1970s has largely contributed to the
diminished use of systemic colistin. Infection by P. aeruginosa resistant to all commercially available antibiotics
is now commonplace, with colimycin offering an option for salvage therapy. The polymyxins were originally
isolated from Bacillus spp. with colistin (also known as polymyxin E) coming from B. colistinus in 1950. The
polymyxins act primarily on the bacterial cell wall, leading to rapid permeability changes in the cytoplasmic
membrane. Entry into the cell is not necessary. The polymyxins may also have antiendotoxin activity. In
desperate situations, combination therapy with colistin may be attempted. Parenteral colistin has been used
successfully for MDR-P. aeruginosa (135, 137, 151, 203).
Most pharmacokinetic studies on colistin were performed more than 30 years ago using intramuscular
administration of the drug. Currently recommended dosing of colistin are: creatinine clearance > 80 mL/min. -
2.5 mg/kg every 12 hours; creatinine clearance 30-80 mL/ minute loading dose of 3 mg/kg on day 1 then 1.25-
1.9 mg/kg every 12 hours and creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min loading dose of 3 mg/kg on day 1 then 1.25
mg/kg every 12 hours (62). Colistin resulted in a positive clinical outcome in 58% of patients treated for MDR P.
aeruginosa and Acinetobacter strains (135). In patients with normal renal function, initial doses were 2.5-5
mg/kg/day divided into two or three doses, up to a maximum of 300 mg daily. More recent pharmacodynamic
studies in P. aeruginosaisolates from cystic fibrosis patients suggest that doses higher than 2-3 mg/ kg every
12 hours may be required for effective therapy (136). In a study of 12 patients with cystic fibrosis, 160 mg three
times per day was found to be safe (44). Toxicity concerns with the use of colistin include nephrotoxicity and
neurotoxicity. The drug may also produce drug fevers.

Combination Therapy
In the face of systemic infection with shock/sepsis, antimicrobial therapy should consist of two intravenous (IV)
antimicrobial agents, with one of these being an aminogylcoside (20). Dose and duration may also depend on
severity of illness, as well as renal function of the patient, and presence of cystic fibrosis. In cystic fibrosis
patients, combination therapy is recommended due to concerns about development of antibiotic resistance with
single-agent therapy (50, 191). The most frequently used combinations include a β-lactam antibiotic plus an
aminoglycoside (153). Because these classes of drugs have different bacterial targets, as well as different
modes of entry into the bacterial cell, they often mutually enhance antimicrobial activity. Appropriate initial
antimicrobial treatment appears critically important for optimal cure of P. aeruginosa bacteremia
(101, 119, 141, 150). There are 3 potential advantages to using combination therapy: (1) an increased
likelihood that the infecting pathogen will be susceptible to at least one of the antimicrobes; (2) prevention of
emergence of resistance; and (3) additive or even synergistic effect of the combination.
There is an ongoing debate over the role of combination antimicrobial therapy. Combination therapy had been
considered the mainstay of therapy for many years, although proponents of monotherapy have emerged:
 In a prospective observational study of 200 consecutive patients with P. aeruginosa bacteremia,
combination therapy was found to be significantly better than monotherapy in improving outcome
(101). Mortality was significantly higher in patients given monotherapy (47%) than in patients given
combination therapy (27%). It should be noted that the most common combination used
was piperacillin or ticarcillin combined with tobramycin or gentamicin. The monotherapy group was
dominated by patients given an aminoglycoside alone. Few patients received
cephalosporins, aztreonam, carbapenems or quinolones.
 A prospective observational study evaluated monotherapy versus beta-lactam/ aminoglycoside
combination therapy for gram-negative bacteremia (133). 16% of the 2165 patients in the study
had P. aeruginosa. 34% (21/61) patients with P. aeruginosabacteremia died on beta-lactam
monotherapy while 28% (11/39) patients died after receipt of combination therapy. This
corresponded to an odds ratio of 0.7 with 95% confidence intervals of 0.3-1.8.
 An additional prospective study evaluated therapy in 170 bacteremic patients; 48% received
monotherapy while 52% received combination (78 out of 88 of these received a beta-lactam plus
aminoglycoside). The authors did not find statistically significant differences in mortality between
these groups (219).
 A randomized trial comparing ciprofloxacin plus piperacillin versus tobramycin plus piperacillin for
empirical therapy in 543 febrile neutropenic patients was performed; only 4 of 543 febrile episodes
were due to P. aeruginosa bacteremia (166).
 In a meta-analysis of studies of immunocompetent patients with severe sepsis, 64 trials and 7586
patients were reviewed. No advantage of combination therapy over monotherapy could be seen for
mortality and clinical outcome among patients with all gram-negative infections (1835 patients).
Nephrotoxicity was more common with combination therapy in nearly all studies. Analysis of onlyP.
aeruginosa bacteremias (426 patients) showed a significant mortality benefit (OR 0.50, 95% CI
0.30-0.79) (190).
 In a second meta-analysis of gram negative bacteremia, 17 (5 prospective, 2 prospective
randomized, and 10 retrospective) cohort studies were evaluated. Five studies focused on P.
aeruginosa bacteremia; 2 studies used extended-spectrum beta-lactam and aminoglycoside
antibiotics; 2 studies used extended-spectrum beta-lactam and aminoglycoside or fluoroquinolones;
one study used extended-spectrum beta-lactam and fluoroquinolones. Subgroup analysis of
bacteremias due to P. aeruginosa demonstrated that mortality was reduced in the combination
therapy (27%) versus monotherapy therapy (47%) group (p < 0.02); this significant relationship
held true for patients with malignancy, nosocomial infection, and infection site. The monotherapy
 group in this meta-analysis was dominated by patients given an aminoglycoside alone resulting in
potential bias from the adverse outcome (101).
 Current recommendations for gram-negative sepsis by the Cochrane library is monotherapy (165).
 Animal models have been used to compare the efficacy of monotherapy versus combination
antibiotic therapy for pulmonary infections due to P. aeruginosa pneumonia. Four studies
demonstrated improved survival with combination therapy compared with monotherapy; two studies
demonstrated a synergistic effect with the combination therapies of ceftazidime/clarithromycin and
a beta-lactam/ aminoglycoside. (25, 86, 120, 159, 168, 186).
To definitively show that combination therapy is superior to monotherapy would require a randomized
controlled trial of several hundred patients. It is not likely that such a study will be performed in the near
future. The demonstration of in vitro synergy between anti-Pseudomonal beta-lactam antibiotics and
aminoglycosides, and the development of resistance with monotherapy, prompts us to continue to recommend
combination antibiotic therapy for invasive P. aeruginosa infections in severely-ill patients. Combinations of
beta-lactams and quinolones are increasingly used but the clinical data to support such combinations is sparse.
We do not recommend combinations of two beta-lactams. Double beta-lactam therapy has proved inferior to
the beta-lactam-aminoglycoside combination in animal models (116). One study in humans showed emergence
of resistance in 40% (two of five) of cases in one series of P. aeruginosainfection treated with double beta-
lactams (229).

Synergy Testing
Debate continues as to the clinical relevance of in vitro synergy testing as a guide for antimicrobial therapy in
the clinical setting. Detection of synergy using different methods (checkerboard vs. time-kill methodology) may
have some utility in choice of an antibiotic combination. Results from the time-kill methodology have been
shown to be more accurate in predicting clinical outcome than results from checkerboard methodology (101). In
a prospective observational study, when the combination was synergistic in vitrosurvival was higher than when
it was not (p= 0.10) (101).
Synergy has observed between beta-lactams and aminoglycosides, beta-lactam antibiotics and quinolones,
and fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. Antagonism is rarely observed between currently used anti-
Pseudomonal agents, although double beta-lactam therapy is discouraged. Synergy was noted more frequently
(42%) with a piperacillin/tazobactam and amikacin combination than with piperacillin/tazobactam and
ciprofloxacin (8%) (27). Predominantly, additive effects have been found with the combinations
of levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin and piperacillin, ceftazidime or aztreonam (167). In contrast, recent studies
withgatifloxacin have shown that synergy occurred in combination with an anti-Pseudomonal beta-lactam or
aminoglycoside (90). Beta lactam agents may be synergistic in combination with ciprofloxacin against multi-
drug resistant P. aeruginosa (60, 61).
A number of in vitro studies have suggested that use of colistin as part of combination therapy may result in
greater killing ofP. aeruginosa than monotherapy. Colistin has been evaluated in combination with ceftazidime
and rifampin (83, 211), amikacin (210) , ceftazidime (96), aztreonam, meropenem, and ciprofloxacin (187).
Caution with use of IV colistin must be used, due to potential and rapid development of renal insufficiency with
the parenteral administration of this drug.
Dosing of Anti-Pseudomonal Antibiotics
Dosing of antimicrobial agents for treatment of Pseudomonas infections should be aggressive (See Table
2 & 3). For ciprofloxacin, an intravenous (IV) dose of 400 mg every 8 hr should be considered instead of the
standard 400 mg every 12 hr. For oral therapy in cystic fibrosis, a dose of 750 mg twice a day is frequently
employed, instead of the usual 500 mg. For children, the dosage for ciprofloxacin is 30 mg/ kg/ day, and for
levofloxacin 10 mg/kg/day. The dose of levofloxacin at 750 mg per day, rather than 500 mg per day, should be
considered (26).
For the class of beta-lactam antibiotics, the rate of bactericidal activity of beta-lactams does not increase
substantially once concentrations exceed four times the MIC (46). Beta-lactams do not exhibit a post-antibiotic
effect against P. aeruginosa with the notable exception of the carbapenems. Thus, high drug concentrations do
not kill P. aeruginosa any faster than low concentrations, and bacterial regrowth will begin very soon after
serum and tissue levels fall below the MIC. Beta-lactam agents exhibit time-dependent killing, i.e. the duration
of time that serum levels exceed the MIC is the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameter that best
correlates with in vivo efficacy of the beta-lactams.
Continuous Infusion/Once-Daily Dosing
Continuous infusion of anti-Pseudomonal beta-lactams is theoretically attractive with killing in a time-dependent
manner (140,143); however the stability of drug should be considered and this approach remains to be
validated in large clinical studies. Strong consideration of once-daily dosing of aminoglycosides, even when in
combination therapy, should be considered when used against P. aeruginosa. Aminoglycosides exhibit
concentration-dependent bactericidal activity, and also produce prolonged postantibiotic effects. Thus, high
drug concentrations kill P. aeruginosa faster than low concentrations, supporting this practice of once daily
dosing (SeeTable 4). Whether aminoglycosides need to be continued for the full treatment course is debatable.
Aminoglycosides duration may be dictated by potential toxicity and clinical response. Except for treatment of P.
aeruginosa infections in the cystic fibrosis patient when combination therapy with beta-lactam antibiotics is
standard for the entire duration, most caregivers would discontinue aminoglycosides within a week of their
onset.
Due to the increased frequency of multi-drug resistant strains, empiric antibiotic regimens should be based on
local resistance patterns with definitive therapy guided by susceptibility testing. Significant geographic
variability in fluoroquinolone resistance has been reported, with 55% of urinary isolates resistant to
ciprofloxocin in Latin America, 41% in Europe, and 29% in North America (117). Globally, urinary P.
aeruginosa isolates were more susceptible to amikacin, carbapenems, cefepime, ceftazidime, and piperacillin,
with resistance to tobramycin and gentamycin reported in 26% and 31%, respectively (117).

SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Urinary Tract Infection
Asymptomatic individuals with indwelling urinary catheters should have an attempt at removal of the catheter
without antibiotic treatment. Symptomatic uncomplicated urinary tract infections may be treated with 3 to 5 days
of therapy, with removal of the catheter. Therapy is with an oral fluoroquinolone or appropriate intravenous
agent for 3-5 days. Urinary tract infections with sepsis should be treated for 10-14 days with a combination
beta-lactam and aminoglycoside. Pyelonephritis should be treated for 14-21 days, while a perinephric or
intrarenal abscess may require a longer duration of therapy. Prostatitis with P. aeruginosa may require 6 to 12
weeks of oral quinolones. Unfortunately, long-term therapy with quinolones has been associated with the
induction of resistance inPseudomonas strains (105).
Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)
Consensus guidelines recommend that since P. aeruginosa as a cause of CAP is rare, empiric therapy for
immunocompetent patients does not need to be considered except in special situations (155). Infectious
Disease Society of America (IDSA) /American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines for CAP only recommend
anti-Pseudomonal agents if one or more of the following risk factors are present: chronic oral steroid
administration, severe underlying bronchopulmonary disease, hematologic malignancy with neutropenia,
hypogammaglobulinemia, HIV/AIDS, alcoholism, or frequent antibiotic therapy (146).
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)
Empiric treatment of VAP should include treatment for P. aeruginosa, recognizing that often it is difficult to
distinguish true infection from colonization when cultured from respiratory tract samples of intubated patients.
Consideration of colonization versus true infection should take the following into consideration:
 Success may be better if appropriate antimicrobial therapy is initiated initially against P. aeruginosa.
 Patients with a clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) of 6 or less with P. aeruginosa isolated
from endotracheal aspirates or sputum did not deteriorate with monotherapy even in the face of in
vitro resistance of the organism. This is strong circumstantial evidence that P. aeruginosa is a
common colonizer of the respiratory tract, for which aggressive combination therapy for prolonged
duration is unnecessary (72a, 73a 235, 238). A clinical strategy for VAP, demonstrated that a CPIS
of 6 or less for 3 days, is an objective criterion to select patients at low risk for 3 day monotherapy
of ICU pneumonia. Antibiotic resistance, superinfection, and 30-day mortality was lower for the 3-
day monotherapy group, than for those patients receiving combination therapy of prolonged
duration (201, 235). One likely explanation is that pulmonary infiltrates in these patients were not
due to infection.
 A large study enrolled 413 patients in a labor-intensive, multicenter, randomized trial of VAP. A
non-invasive management strategy was compared to an invasive management strategy of direct
examination of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or protected specimen brush specimens with
quantitative culture. Patients randomized to the invasive strategy group experienced significantly
lower mortality at 14 days, earlier attenuation of organ dysfunction, and decreased antibiotic use as
compared to patients randomized to the noninvasive strategy group (63, 65).
 A multi-center, randomized trial comparing the use of BAL with quanitative cultures or endotracheal
aspiration with nonquantitative culture for diagnosing VAP, reported no significant difference in the
28-day mortality rate, or the rate of antibiotic modification. The limitations of this study were that the
exclusion criteria were strict, especially excluding patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) infection and P. aeruginosa colonization. Therefore, at least 40% of the screened
patients who were excluded had risk factors for colonization or infection with potentially multi-drug
resistant (MDR) pathogens (30).
Adherence to de-escalation strategy (initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics, with narrowing/discontinuation of
medications after 2-3 days) is a practical strategy, and may be a way to curb the unnecessary use of antibiotics
in the intensive care setting (64). However broad-spectrum empiric antibiotic therapy, especially in the ICU, is
warranted, since initial therapy is often inadequate for P. aeruginosa pneumonia (7, 102, 126, 176).
Frustratingly, P. aeruginosa infection is associated with a high rate of mortality, even among patients who
received appropriate antimicrobial therapy (48, 215). In general, it is recommended to use combination therapy
empirically rather than monotherapy for VAP until the microbial etiology is unknown.
A number of randomized controlled trials have been performed for study of which combinations are the most
appropriate antibiotic treatment of pneumonia:

 Previous data supporting the use of combination therapy for Pseudomonas pneumonia has been
derived from bacteremic patients only (101).
 A comparison of the clinical efficacy
of piperacillin/tazobactam and amikacin versus ceftazidime and amikacin in patients with VAP,
showed that 25% of 170 cases accounted for P. aeruginosa VAP. Clinical cure was observed in
51% of those patients treated with piperacillin/tazobactam and amikacin versus 36% treated with
ceftazidime and amikacin. This trend was not statistically significant (24).
 Comparison of cefepime and amikacin versus ceftazidime and amikacin in 275 mechanically
ventilated patients with pneumonia, demonstrated superior clinical outcome for cefepime/amikacin-
treated patients (53.3%) compared to ceftazidime/amikacin (39.3%) (p= 0.05)(16).
 A study of nosocomial pneumonia compared piperacillin/tazobactam monotherapy with imipenem
monotherapy, with 18% of cases due to P. aeruginosa. Clinical success was observed in 83% of
patients treated with piperacillin/tazobactam and 71% treated with imipenem. There was a trend
towards superiority of piperacillin/tazobactam, although this did not attain statistical significance.
However, in the subset of patients with confirmed P. aeruginosa pneumonia, piperacillin/
tazobactam was significantly superior (109).
 Disturbingly, 25% of imipenem treated-patients, in the piperacillin/tazobactam versus imipenem
monotherapy study, developed resistance to imipenem during therapy, compared to 5% of
piperacillin/tazobactam-treated patients developing resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam during
therapy (109). In an earlier study by the same group, combination therapy with imipenem and an
aminoglycoside did not prevent emergence of resistance during therapy (42).
 In the largest study of nosocomial pneumonia yet performed, 405 patients with severe, hospital-
acquired pneumonia received ciprofloxacin (400mg every 8 hours) compared to imipenem (1 gram
every 8 hours) (30). 20% of evaluable patients had pneumonia due to P. aeruginosa. Cure was
observed in significantly more patients treated with ciprofloxacin (69%) compared to imipenem
(56%) (p= 0.02). 28% of ciprofloxacin-treated patients compared with 50% of imipenem-treated
patients developed resistance during treatment to the antibiotic used (70).
 A multi-center, prospective, randomized double-blind trial of 401 patients compared the
effectiveness between 8 days versus 15 days of antibiotic therapy for VAP. Patients with VAP
caused by nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli, including P. aeruginosa treated 8 days did not have
a more unfavorable outcome, however, recurrence of pneumonia was significantly higher in the 8-
day group compared to those receiving 15 days of treatment. The authors concluded that 8 days of
treatment was sufficient for all patients with VAP. Extreme vigilance be maintained after cessation
of antimicrobial therapy especially for those in whom P. aeruginosawas isolated (37).
Development of resistance during therapy is common (32, 99, 215). Increased severity of illness and prior/
recent use of anti-Pseudomonal beta-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones were risk
factors for infection by a multi-drug resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa strain (99, 215). A single center study that
investigated 54 cases of VAP with P. aeruginosa, demonstrated 39% isolates being MDR. Mortality rates did
not differ between patients with MDR P. aeruginosa and pan-sensitive P. aeruginosa infections, although
patients with VAP caused by MDR P. aeruginosa had longer ICU stays and were less likely to receive
adequate, initial antibiotic therapy (225).
Given the necessity for adequate antimicrobial severity and the prominent role that P. aeruginosa plays in the
ICU, empiric combination antibiotic therapy is often given. A pragmatic approach has been suggested for ICU
pneumonia which takes into consideration the clinician's concern for P. aeruginosa as a cause and the
appearance of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria resistant to all commercially-available antibiotics (207a).
Risk factors for MDR occur because the prior antibiotic use is so ubiquitous in ICU management (235a). This
approach depicted in Figure 1 and Figure 2 is derived in part from the approach by Singh et al. (201) and
Torres A., Approach to Pulmonary Infiltrates in the ICU Method of Antoni Torres.
Severity of illness is assessed by teh APACHE score or Pitt Bacteremia Score. If the patient is severely ill,
empiric antibacterial therapy is given. If not, and the CPIS is less or equal to 6, monotherapy with an
antipseudomonal agent is given (201). The CPIS is used as a screening tool to identify patients who can
receive short-course monotherapy (Figure 1). Given that colonization is a distinct possibility in a stable patient,
the use of the CPIS will minimize the possibility of overtreatment of P. aeruginosa found in an innocent
bystander. At the end of three days the patient should be re-evaluated (Figure 2). For patients who were not
severely ill at onset and received monotherapy, the antipseudomonal agent can be discontinued if the CPIS
remains low and cultures do not confirm the presence of a pathogen.
Inhaled Antibiotics
Inhaled antibiotics in the face of acute or chronic lower respiratory track infection has the theoretical advantage
of increasing drug levels in the bronchial secretions, without subjecting the patient to systemic side effects of
the drug. Certainly concerns about long-term employment of aerosolized antibiotics include development of
resistance to the micro-organisms. Most of the recent experience with inhaled antibiotics and P.
aeruginosa infections comes from treatment of chronic infection in cystic fibrosis. Inhaled tobramycin (TOBI®)
is given in the dosage of 300 mg vials, administered by nebulized treatment twice a day for 28 days, with 28
days off. This intermittent cycle is then repeated. TOBI® is a preservative-free preparation, developed and
FDA-approved exclusively for suppressive, inhalation treatment (171).
This alternating cycle has shown to maintain or improved pulmonary function, is associated with weight gain, as
well as diminished need for oral or parenteral antibiotics in adolescent patients with cystic fibrosis over a two
year period of long-term intermittent therapy. Frequently patients notice an initial increase in their cough at the
beginning of a TOBI® month, as well as a change in their voice (more husky or hoarse-sounding). Inhaled
tobramycin has minimal side effects (10% with bronchospasm), decreases the risk of hospitalization and P.
aeruginosa density in sputum, and is well tolerated.
Patients requiring tracheotomy tubes and chronic mechanical ventilation are frequently colonized with P.
aeruginosa, making intermittent use of TOBI®, a reasonable consideration. The dose of 300 mg twice a day is
the same regardless of age or size. Tobramycin levels are not recommended.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with 30 non-cystic fibrosis patients was conducted to
determine the clinical effectiveness and safety of 6-month tobramycin inhalation therapy. Pulmonary function
and quality of life were unaffected (56). Inhaled tobramycin has been successfully used for severe non-cystic
fibrosis bronchiectasis with chronic bronchial P. aeruginosa infections (56,196). Eradication or presumed
eradication of P. aeruginosa occurred in 22% (6/27) of evaluable non-cystic fibrosis patients (196). Therefore
some patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis may benefit from therapy with inhaled tobramycin.
Nebulized colistin (colimycin) also has been used in cystic fibrosis as long-term intermittent therapy, as well as
part of combination parenteral therapy for nosocomial pneumonia caused by MDR P. aeruginosa (66). The
dose used is 75-150 mg in 2-4 ml of normal saline twice a day. In cystic fibrosis patients, it is cycled every other
28 days, often alternating with TOBI® therapy. The disadvantage of colistin is the lack of a preservative-free
form for nebulization (the IV solution is used). Some patients may dislike the foamy, sticky nature of the
solution when reconstituted; the solution may be irritating to the airway.
Other antimicrobial agents, using the parenteral solution of the drug, have been attempted with limited success
(i.e.gentamicin, ceftazidime) for inhalation. Lack of guidelines as to the frequency and dosage of these drugs
are drawbacks to their clinical utility. Another major drawback to use of inhaled ceftazidime is the offensive
taste and smell when this drug in placed into a nebulizer for inhalation. Currently a new powdsuer form of
tobramycin for dry inhalation is in Phase 3 studies in cystic fibrosis, as well asaztreonam in a solution for
inhalation; both drugs are being studied for long-term intermittent treatment of P. aeruginosa infection in cystic
fibrosis patients.
Azithromycin
Macrolide antibiotics have recently been recognized to have a stabilizing effect on patients with chronic P.
aeruginosainfection. Recent clinical trails in cystic fibrosis patients have demonstrated a benefit of chronic
therapy with azithromycin or clarithromycin by maintaining or improving pulmonary function, improving weight
gain, and diminishing need for oral or parenteral antibiotics in adolescent patients with cystic fibrosis over a 48-
week period of long-term therapy. The benefit of the longer acting macrolide, such as azithromycin, over
erythromycin, is less GI-toxicity, and ease of dosing. For patients the dose of either 250 mg (bodyweight < 40
kg) or 500 mg (weight > 40 kg) of oral azithromycin, administered 3 times a week (17, 192).
There is also evidence that chronic azithromycin therapy improves outcome in patients with bronchiolitis
obliterans organizing pneumonia, now called cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, and radiation-related
bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia. Macrolides may have anti-inflammatory effects in patients with
these syndromes although the mechanism of action is not completely understood at this time (206).
Currently studies are being conducted in cystic fibrosis children without chronic colonization with P.
aeruginosa and long-term azithromycin to determine the safety and impact on pulmonary function and time to
acquisition of P. aeruginosa chronic infection. Very limited experience exists in the child less than 13 years of
age with chronic macrolide therapy.

Endocarditis
Optimal treatment of infective endocarditis from P. aeruginosa involves combined antibiotic and surgical
therapy. Infection of the aortic valve is severe, often with an acute and fulminant onset. Sepsis with multiple
septic emboli, congestive heart failure, renal failure, and early death is common. Successful outcome requires
rapid institution of aggressive antibiotic therapy combined with early replacement of the aortic valve. Despite
aggressive medical and surgical therapy, survival is as low as 38%(111). Consideration for treatment of P.
aeruginosa infective endocarditis should include:
 An aminoglycoside combined with an anti-Pseudomonal beta-lactam as the regimen of choice for
most cases of infective endocarditis
  Maintenance of serum concentrations of beta-lactam agents above the MIC for the organism for
longer periods of time, such as by use of continuous infusions to reduce the development of
resistance (67)
 Concomitant aminoglycosides should be aggressively dosed (See Table 4) (208)
 Consideration of once-daily aminoglycoside dosing, due to theoretical advantages over a multiple
dosing regimen

 Recognition that ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity are common during therapy with aminoglycosides,
with the latter usually reversing with discontinuation of the drug. In patients with preexisting renal
compromise, total aminoglycoside dosage and dosing intervals must be adjusted on the basis of
serum concentrations
 Antibiotic therapy alone may have significantly higher mortality than those who also underwent
valvulectomy (226). Thus, recommendations for left-sided infection include valve replacement plus
a 6-week course of high-dose combined beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antimicrobials
(127, 178, 226)
 Aggressive antibiotic therapy combined with surgical resection of the valve appears to be optimal
therapy for infective endocarditis. Antibiotic therapy alone may have significantly higher mortality
than those who also underwent valvulectomy.

 Theoretical pharmacodynamic considerations would dictate that continuous infusion of beta-lactam

antibiotics (time-kill dependent) and once-daily aminoglycoside, as opposed to multiple–dosing
(concentration-dependent killing) is preferred.

 Colistin/Polymyxin B is a therapeutic option for multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa. The parenteral

toxicities and high failure rates associated with these compounds may limit their
utility(78, 135, 164). An anecdotal report found that meropenem plus tobramycin was successful
after failure with ceftazidime and piperacillin-tazobactam combined with tobramycin (80).
Meningitis
Antimicrobial choice for treatment of gram-negative meningitis must take into consideration penetration of the
drug into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Ceftazidime has been widely used because of its in vitro activity and
ability to penetrate the CSF (74).Cefepime has been used in the management of non-pseudomonal gram-
negative organisms causing meningitis (182), but no published cases exist of treatment of P.
aeruginosa meningitis with this antibiotic. Carbapenems, with excellent in vitro activity against P.
aeruginosa and ability to penetrate into the cerebrospinal fluid, are a useful alternative, especially when
resistant organisms are present. However, the high doses of imipenem required may be associated with central
nervous system toxicity, most notably seizures.Meropenem reaches high concentrations in the cerebrospinal
fluid and has been successful in treating P. aeruginosa meningitis (39, 160,163). Meropenem should be
considered the drug of choice in P. aeruginosa meningitis, in combination with aminoglycosides
(intraventricular and/or intravenous) (45) (31).
Addition of an aminoglycoside can be justified on the basis of synergistic interaction or prevention of
ceftazidime resistance. Anecdotal reports, however, have not clearly shown enhanced efficacy with addition of
an aminoglycoside, due to poor penetration of the aminoglycosides into the CSF. Thus, intrathecal or
intraventricular, as well as intravenous administration of aminoglycosides may be required for maximal effect.
For dosage recommendations, see Table 5.
Ciprofloxacin has been successfully used in anecdotal reports (107, 152, 197, 231). However, given its
relatively poor penetration into the CSF, ciprofloxacin usage should be confined to situations involving life-
threatening beta-lactam drug allergies or the presence of documented beta-lactam-resistant organisms (156).
In one case of recurrent meningitis, a ciprofloxacin dose of 800 mg every 8 h (49 mg/kg/day) was used
successfully, achieving CSF concentration of 2.6 mcg/mL, while the MIC for this MDR organism was 0.5 to 1.0
mcg/mL(231). An additional case of Pseudomonas meningitis was treated with ciprofloxocin 400 mg
intravenously every 8 hours in combination with ceftazidime, with peak serum and CSF ciprofloxocin
concentrations of 10.29 µg/mL and 0.9 µg/mL, respectively, during treatment (138). These data suggest that
higher intravenous doses of ciprofloxocin may be appropriate in pseudomonas meningitis.
Intraventricular Antimicrobial Administration
Direct installation of antimicrobial agents into the ventricles through either an external ventriculostomy or shunt
reservoir is occasionally necessary in patients who have shunt infections that are difficult to eradicate or who
cannot undergo the surgical components of therapy (See Table 4). No antimicrobial agent has been approved
by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for intraventricular use. Antimicrobial dosages have been used
with dosing intervals based on the ability of the agent to achieve adequate CNS concentrations (217).

Ocular Infections
Eye infections with P. aeruginosa involve close collaboration with an ophthalmologist. Therapy frequently
includes vitrectomy, topical fluoroquinolones, and intravitreal antibiotics, in addition to systemic antibiotics.
Corneal Ulceration and Keratitis
P. aeruginosa is a common cause of corneal ulceration, usually in contact lens wearers. The quinolones have
proven useful for this infection (124, 216). Although ciprofloxacin is more active in vitro, ofloxacin has greater
ocular tissue penetration. Fortification of the commercial preparation (0.3%, 3.0 mg/mL) of ofloxacin is possible
by using the intravenous preparation (ciprofloxacin is near its saturation limit with the commercial preparation)
(21, 237). Increasing quinolone resistance for P. aeruginosa is occurring (79, 128, 194), although the
concentration of ciprofloxacin in eye drops far exceeds the in vitro MICs of the resistant P. aeruginosa (142).
Alternative therapy includes use of topical ticarcillin, piperacillin or aminoglycosides. Topical tobramycin is often
preferred over gentamicin and amikacin because of superiority in vitro (which should be confirmed in the
laboratory). Amikacin can be used for strains resistant in vitro to tobramycin. Both tobramycin and gentamicin
are commercially available as a 0.3% solution (3 mg/mL). Fortification with the intravenous preparation (40
mg/mL) to 13.6 mg/mL may be advantageous because of increased diffusion into the tissues and anterior
chamber. Multiple and frequent instillation topically is recommended for severe infections, especially for initial
therapy (e.g., every 15-30 min). As an alternative, a collagen shield reconstituted with 0.3% tobramycin and
placed onto the eye releases antibiotic over several hours (237).
Endophthalmitis
Endophthalmitis caused by P. aeruginosa is a medical emergency. The course of pseudomonas
endophthalmitis is typically fulminant and is characterized by intense pain. Patients have decreased visual
acuity, with the findings of panophthalmitis, including conjunctivitis with chemosis, lid edema, and anterior
uveitis, developing over hours. Endophthalmitis is diagnosed clinically by the presence of these symptoms and
the absence of a red reflex. The clinical diagnosis should be confirmed by aspiration of the anterior chamber or
vitreous with cultures.
Seventy to eighty percent of these patients develop blindness. If treatment is delayed, return of retinal function
is usually poor. Systemic therapy is required in addition to ocular administration. Ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime,
and imipenem have better intraocular penetration than aminoglycosides. Oral levofloxocin may not achieve
MIC 90 levels for P. aeruginosa in the aqueous and vitreous humor even if given at 500 mg twice daily (71).
Direct injection of anti-Pseudomonal antibiotics into the anterior chamber and vitreous cavity is usually
necessary. Retinal necrosis may occur if antibiotic concentrations are excessive.
A prospective trial of 30 patients received 2 gram IV dose of meropenem prior to undergoing cataract surgery;
thirty minutes after administration, these patients were found to have a mean aqueous humor levels of 13.4
mg/L and mean vitreous levels of 8.94 mg/L. Twelve hours later, the concentrations remained above 1 mg/L,
suggesting that meropenem may be an alternative therapeutic option for Pseudomonas
endophthalmitis (195).

Ear Infection
Perichondritis of the Ear
Removal of the earring, and debridement, along with appropriate anti-Pseudomonal antibiotic (i.e.oral
fluoroquinolones) should be promptly initiated (122).
Otitis Externa
Simple otitis externa can be treated adequately with local therapy. Crusts, scales, and debris must be
evacuated from the ear canal. Wicks are commonly used. Topical antibiotics active in vitro against P.
aeruginosa such as colistin sulfate, neomycin sulfate, aminoglycosides, and ciprofloxacin are preferred. With
increased use of topical ciprofloxacin treatments, ciprofloxacin-resistantP. aeruginosa is emerging (113). A
double blind trial found no significant difference between treatment outcomes in patients given ofloxacin drops
(0.3%) twice daily in comparison to Cortisporin (neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B sulfate, and hydrocortisone) otic
drops four times daily. Ofloxacin otic solution (0.3%) used once daily for 7 days was highly effective; adherence
to this regimen was 98%(198). Topical endogenous antiseptic N-chlorotaurine for acute otitis externa appeared
to be more effective than topical Cortisporin (158).
Alternative treatment with topical povidone-iodine in chronic suppurative otitis media was as effective as topical
ciprofloxacin, with the advantage of preventing drug resistance (114). A double-blind study found that antiseptic
drops (aluminum acetate), which were inactive in vitro against P. aeruginosa, were as effective as topical
gentamicin (40).
Malignant External Otitis
Malignant external otitis can be life-threatening, necessitating aggressive IV therapy. A retrospective study of
22 cases of malignant otitis secondary to Pseudomonas found a cure rate of 95% in patient treated with
parenteral combination of anti-Pseudomonal penicillins with aminoglycosides as well as surgical debridement.
Topical antibiotics, even fluoroquinolones, are ineffective.
Systemic fluoroquinolone antibiotics, especially ciprofloxacin, have emerged as the treatment of choice for
malignant external otitis. However with widespread use of both oral and topical quinolones, the emergence of
ciprofloxacin resistance in P. aeruginosa is becoming a major problem (183). When the P. aeruginosa is
sensitive, oral ciprofloxacin therapy (750 mg twice daily) appears to be as effective as parenteral combination
anti-Pseudomonal therapy (84, 184, 185). Duration should be 6 to 10 weeks, depending on the severity of
infection.
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is useful in monitoring responsiveness to therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen
has been used in anecdotal reports, but efficacy is uncertain(53). Surgery is rarely necessary except for local
debridement or excision of accessible foci of infection such as polypectomy or removal of sequestrum (183).
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Hot Tub Folliculitis
Folliculitis is often a mild and self-limiting illness. In healthy persons, lesions resolve spontaneously and
scarring is rare, necessitating no treatment. Topical 0.1% polymyxin B has been useful, or a short course (5-7
days) of oral ciprofloxacin. Treatment involves cleaning and debriding the infected skin and avoiding wetness.
Therapy with dilute acetic acid can successfully suppress P. aeruginosa.
Puncture Wounds/Osteomyelitis
Antibiotic therapy with adjunctive surgical debridement is the current standard. Most cases of P.
aeruginosa osteochondritis/osteomyelitis can be treated with single-antibiotic therapy consisting of a beta-
lactam or fluoroquinolone (52,54). In children and adolescents with puncture wounds, incision and drainage,
along with 2-3 weeks of anti-Pseudomonal therapy is adequate.
Immunosuppressed patients with associated P. aeruginosa bacteremia should receive combination therapy
with an aminoglycoside. In the absence of vascular compromise or diabetes mellitus, a 4-week course of
antibiotics may be adequate, dating from initiation of therapy or from the last major surgical debridement (112).
In chronic osteomyelitis, in which prolonged therapy is needed, oral ciprofloxacin can play a major role as
single-agent therapy. This should follow adequate debridement, hardware removal, and a course of 4 to 6
weeks of parenteral therapy (4, 11). The cure rate approached 70% in 23 patients with chronic pseudomonas
osteomyelitis treated with oral ciprofloxocin; however, resistance to ciprofloxocin was noted to emerge in nearly
18% (77). The future usefulness of oral monotherapy will be limited by the extent of emergence of resistant
organisms (4, 11).
Foot Infections
Treatment involves cleaning and debriding the infected skin and avoiding moisture. Therapy with diluted acetic
acid can suppress P. aeruginosa.
Green Nail Syndrome
The patient should be advised to avoid excessive immersion in hot water, even when wearing protective
gloves. After washing, the nails should be dried thoroughly, with the use of a hair dryer to keep the nail plate-
nail bed space as dry as possible. Trimming of the nail, until the nail reattaches, should be repeated frequently
for 4-6 weeks. Treatment of the underlying fungal infection is indicated. Other treatments include: Clorox diluted
1:4 two to three times a day to the space to suppress the growth of P. aeruginosa, applying acetic acid in 50%
alcohol, 4% thymol in chloroform, or 15% sulphacetamide in 70 % ethyl alcohol; or ciprofloxacin (500 to 750 mg
bid, orally) for 4-6 weeks has been found to be effective in treating this infection (93).
Ecythma Gangrenosum/Necrotizing Fasciitis
Combination anti-Pseudomonal antibiotic therapy is necessary. Leukocyte transfusions or colony stimulating
factors are often used. Mortality is high, even with aggressive antibiotic therapy and surgical resection. Initial
therapy should consist of parenteral anti-Pseudomonal therapy. Long-term anti-Pseudomonal therapy (for
example, oral ciprofloxacin) may be necessary for cure.
Burns
Topical agents are frequently used to prevent infection of burn wounds, including silver sulfadiazine and
mafenide (Sulfanylon). Outbreaks of sulfadiazine-resistant organisms have occurred in burn units with its heavy
usage. When topical agents are used prophylactically, there may be a delay in P. aeruginosa colonization for
more than 7 days. Mafemide has superior eschar penetration compared to silver sulfadiazine. Early and
frequent debridement of necrotic tissue and excision of infected burn wounds is probably more important than
topical therapy in preventing infection. Bacteriophages have been tried (see Adjunctive Therapy section).
Patients with overt infection should be treated aggressively with combination IV antibiotics: an aminoglycoside
and a beta-lactam. Antibiotic susceptibility testing is critical for antibiotic choice, since nosocomial strains may
be multiply resistant. Patients with significant burns have dramatic alterations in pharmacokinetics of most
drugs. The risk in most patients may be under treatment rather than antibiotic toxicity (236). The applicability of
once daily dosing of aminoglycosides in burns patients is unknown, but is possibly advantageous.
Individualized pharmacokinetic dosing with monitoring of aminoglycoside serum concentrations is
recommended.

ADJUNCTIVE THERAPY
Prompt removal of infected intravenous catheters or other hardware such as a ventriculoperitoneal shunt or ear
piercing, should be performed, whenever possible. In addition incision and drainage of abscesses, as well as
debridement of soft tissue should be performed. Debridement of the bony involvement in a puncture wound of
the foot is necessary for resolution of the osteochondritis infection.

Bacteriophages have been advocated as a potential topical application of treatment for post-burn P.
aeruginosa infection (5,202). A variety of phages are highly specific for P. aeruginosa (UNL-1, ACQ, UT1). A
potential benefit of phage therapy is the lack of potential toxic effects, as well as diminished cost compared to
systemic therapy. Limited clinical studies have been performed on this approach to therapy (1), with a clear
need for further exploration of this therapy (207).

ENDPOINTS FOR MONITORING THERAPY

Bacteremia due to P. aeruginosa is associated with a high mortality rate compared to bacteremia due to other
gram-negative bacilli and gram-positive organisms. Risk factors for mortality include severe sepsis, pneumonia,
and a delay in starting effective antimicrobial therapy. The choice and timing of antibiotic therapy is particularly
crucial. As an example, in one study of 410 episodes ofP. aeruginosa bacteremia, cure was substantially higher
in patients receiving appropriate antibiotics than in those who did not (67% versus 14%), and a one- to two-day
delay in administering appropriate antibiotics reduced the cure rate from 74% to 46%. The prognosis of P.
aeruginosa bacteremia is closely related to the underlying condition of the host and the primary site of infection
(106). In a patient with primary or secondary bacteremia, blood cultures should become negative. For urinary
tract infection, urine culture should become negative. In a patient with P. aeruginosa meningitis, a repeat spinal
tap after 48 to 72 hours may be helpful to document microbiologic clearance. The duration of therapy after an
initial favorable clinical response is generally empiric. Bacteremia and urinary tract infections require at least 10
days of therapy. Meningitis should be treated for 21 days, and endocarditis for at least 42 days.
The goal for most therapy is a curative course of antibiotics for P. aeruginosa, with the exception of chronic
infection such as occurs in cystic fibrosis. Demonstration of sterilization of cultures, resolution of pain, soft
tissue swelling, and erythema are all clinical features to follow in patients with P. aeruginosa infections. In cystic
fibrosis, a course of systemic antibiotics will reduce the bacterial burden of chronic infection with P.
aeruginosa and use of other measurements to determine response are used (i.e. pulmonary function tests,
appetite and weight gain, improved cough and diminished sputum production). Long-term suppressive therapy
with inhaled TOBI and/or azithromycin should be considered for all cystic fibrosis patients with chronic infection
by P. aeruginosa.
The endpoint for monitoring therapy of P. aeruginosa pneumonia has usually been documented as clinical,
radiological and microbiologic clearance of signs of infection. Persistent endotracheal colonization frequently
occurs despite clinical response (171). Currently, duration of therapy of 14-21 days is suggested for P.
aeruginosa pneumonia. However, if clinical criteria were used (and ongoing colonization ignored), a duration of
8 days would appear reasonable (37).

VACCINES
Interest in a vaccine to prevent infection in susceptible hosts is tantalizing, especially in the care of patients with
cystic fibrosis. At present, no vaccine is commercially available, but development of vaccines against type II
secretion system proteins, as well as LPS, is ongoing. P. aeruginosa virulence associated and cellular factors
have been suggested as antigens for immunotherapy (103).
INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES
In general P. aeruginosa bacteria are ubiquitous, i.e. being present commonly in the home, clinic and hospital
environments. The bacterium is a difficult organism to eradicate from areas that become contaminated, such as
operating rooms, hospital rooms, clinics, and medical equipment. In a hospital room occupied by a patient with
a known infection from P. aeruginosa, within a matter of days, the same strain of the bacteria can be found in
the sink drain and faucet, the shower stall, toilet and on surfaces in the hospital room. Bars of soap can
become contaminated with P. aeruginosa, as can refillable containers of liquid soap.
Nosocomial spread of bacteria is frequently by hands, including P. aeruginosa. Bacterial hand counts are
higher with rings; long fingernails and artificial fingernails are associated with higher gram-negative bacterial
hand contamination. Education of hospital and all medical personnel on proper hand hygiene is vital for
successful infection control of P. aeruginosa (22, 123). Those who enter the room of a patient colonized with a
MDR organism should wear gloves and gowns and practice appropriate hand hygiene on leaving the patient’s
room and removal of the protective apparel. However, patient to patient transmission of multiply resistant P.
aeruginosaisolates does occur (132, 164). In one investigation, three P. aeruginosa strains accounted for
nearly half of all MDR isolates in 5 different hospitals (132).
Molecular epidemiologic techniques (i.e. pulsed field gel electrophoresis) should be applied to investigate
apparent outbreaks of infection. A search for a common environmental source should be undertaken. Contact
isolation precaution measures should be used as a mode of control of spread of such organisms if clonality is
confirmed and no environmental source is found. Such an approach requires the identification of asymptomatic
carriers of the organism and then accommodation of such individuals in single rooms or cohorting with other
colonized patients.
Restriction of use of anti-Pseudomonal antibiotics should also be considered to reduce selective pressure
leading to mutations contributing to multidrug resistance. Cycling of antimicrobial agents used for empiric
therapy has been attempted with some success in hospital intensive care units (6, 94, 95, 125, 154, 172, 222),
while more recent studies showed that cycling of antimicrobial agents did not control the emergence of gram-
negative antimicrobial resistant organisms.
Steam sterilization is the preferred method for preprocessing heat-stable medical devices. However manual
cleaning to remove biological material is a necessary first step in reprocessing any medical device. Disinfection
and sterilization protocols do not work effectively on visibly soiled surfaces. The practice of rinsing equipment in
tap water after preprocessing may contaminate a device. P. aeruginosa may colonize the tap water, and has
the ability to form biofilms on medical devices that may be difficult to remove (33). Patients with infections
with P. aeruginosa should receive Standard Transmission Precautions in the clinic and hospital setting, with
Contact Isolation for a patient with MDR- P. aeruginosa infection. Recommendations for good infection control
practices for P. aeruginosa include the following:
 Perform proper hand hygiene

 Use hand soap from non-reusable containers; no bar soap

 Limit fingernail length, and artificial fingernails or nail extenders in medical/ hospital personnel

 Place all cystic fibrosis patients in a private room that does not share common facilities (i.e.
bathroom or shower)

 Avoid direct contact between cystic fibrosis-patients in the hospital unless they are co-habitants at
home

 Follow published recommendations for sterilization and disinfection of patient care equipment

 Use sterile or 0.2 micron filtered (not distilled or tap) water for rinsing disposable devices after they
have been chemically disinfected. Dry this equipment after rinsing

 Use a one-step process and an EPA-registered hospital grade disinfectant/detergent designed for
housekeeping environmental surfaces (22, 33, 193)
 Limit broad spectrum antibiotic usage.

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