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Pseudomonas Infections

What are pseudomonas infections?

Pseudomonas infections are diseases caused by a bacterium from the
genus Pseudomonas. The bacteria are found widely in the environment, such as in soil,
water, and plants. They usually do not cause infections in healthy people. If an infection
does occur in a healthy person, it is generally mild.
More severe infections occur in people who are already hospitalized with another illness
or condition, or people who have a weak immune system. Pseudomonades are fairly
common pathogens involved in infections acquired in a hospital setting. A pathogen is a
microorganism that causes disease. Infections acquired in a hospital are
called nosocomial infections.
Infections can occur in any part of the body. Symptoms depend on which part of the
body is infected. Antibiotics are used to treat the infections. Pseudomonas infection
could be fatal in people who are already very ill.
What are the symptoms of pseudomonas infections?
Infections in the skin tend to be less severe than infections that occur in the blood or
lungs. Specific symptoms depend on where the infection occurs:
Blood
 A bacterial infection of the blood is called bacteremia. A blood infection is one of
the most severe infections caused by pseudomonas. Symptoms may include:
 fever
 chills
 fatigue
 muscle and joint pain
 Bacteremia with pseudomonas can also cause very low blood pressure, known
as hemodynamic shock, which can lead to failure of other organs including
the heart, kidneys, and liver.
Lungs
 Infection of the lungs is called pneumonia. Symptoms include:
 chills
 fever
 cough with or without sputum production
 difficulty breathing
Skin
When this bacterium infects the skin, it most often affects the hair follicles. This is
called folliculitis. Symptoms may include:
  redness of the skin
 abscess formation in the skin
 draining wounds
 Ear
 An external ear canal infection may sometimes be caused by pseudomonas and
result in “swimmer’s ear.” Symptoms may include:
 swelling
 ear pain
 itching inside the ear
 discharge from the ear
 difficulty hearing

Eye
Symptoms of an eye infection may include:
 inflammation
 pus
 pain
 swelling
 redness
 impaired vision
Pseudomonas infections can be very aggressive, particularly infections in the lungs or
skin.
What causes pseudomonas infections?
Pseudomonas infections are caused by a free-living bacterium from the
genus Pseudomonas. They favor moist areas and are widely found in soil and water.
Only a few of the many species cause disease. The most common species that causes
infection is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Who is at risk for pseudomonas infections?
Healthy people are usually at low risk of infection. People who already have a
weakened immune system because of another illness or condition are at a higher risk of
infection. This is especially true for people who are hospitalized for an extended period
of time.
The bacteria can be spread in hospitals via the hands of healthcare workers, or by
hospital equipment that is not properly cleaned.
Pseudomonas infections are considered opportunistic infections. This means that the
organism only causes disease when a person’s immune system is already impaired.
Conditions that may increase the risk of infection include:
 burn wounds
 receiving chemotherapy for cancer
 cystic fibrosis
 HIV or AIDS
 presence of a foreign body, like a mechanical ventilator or catheter
 undergoing an invasive procedure, like a surgery
 Infections can be severe in people whose immune systems are already
compromised.
 Very mild illnesses like skin rashes and ear infections have been reported in
healthy individuals. The infection might occur after exposure to hot tubs and
swimming pools that are inadequately chlorinated. This is sometimes called “hot
 tub rash.” Eye infections can occur in people who wear contacts if they use
infected contact lens solution.
Pseudomonas can infect any part of the body including the liver, brain, bones, and
sinuses. Infection of these sites and those not mentioned, however, is much less
common than the infections listed above.
How are pseudomonas infections diagnosed?
Your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask you about your medical history
and recent symptoms. They may take a sample of pus, blood, or tissue, and send it to a
laboratory. The laboratory will then test the sample for the presence of pseudomonas.

How are pseudomonas infections treated?

Pseudomonas infections are treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately, many pseudomonas
infections are becoming more difficult to treat. These bacteria have developed the ability
to adapt and overcome antibiotics in their environment. This is called antibiotic
resistance.
The increase in antibiotic resistance has made treating infections much more
challenging. Pseudomonas infections can often develop resistance to multiple types of
antibiotics. It can even sometimes develop resistance during the course of treatment.
It is important that your doctor selects an effective antibiotic. A doctor may send a
specimen from a patient to a laboratory first for testing in order to be more certain. The
laboratory will test the specimen to determine which antibiotic will work best.
Treatment may involve one or more of the following types of antibiotics:
 ceftazidime
 ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or levofloxacin
 gentamicin
 cefepime
 aztreonam
 carbapenems
 ticarcillin
 ureidopenicillins

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/pseudomonas-infections