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Pseudomonas aeruginosa: The Alarming Pathogen of Hospital Acquired Infection
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacillus that is ubiquitous. It is found in abundant amount in the environment, especially in moist places. Immunocompetent persons get less infected by P. aeruginosa, while immunocompromised patients get more infected by them. The burn patients, patients with cystic fibrosis, and patients who are dependent on any device like ventilator, intravenous catheter, or indwelling bladder catheter are more prone to acquire the infection. It is the main cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Patients with neutropenia are more susceptible to P. aeruginosa infections. P. aeruginosa has got several virulence factors through which they can cause disease. They have got attachment factors like Pilli and enzymes. They are one of the main pathogens of healthcare-associated infection (HAI). As P. aeruginosa is multidrug-resistant so this has got an extra contribution to the fact that they can cause HAI more. Common antibiotics like penicillin, carbapenems, cephalosporins, and all other Beta-lactam drugs along with aztreonams and fluroquinolones are resistant to P. aeruginosa. The proper maintenance of hand hygiene and continuous monitoring of hospital devices can lessen the burden of HAI associated with P. aeruginosa infection.
Part of the book: Pseudomonas aeruginosa