Pseudomonas

aeruginosa Infection
Prof Dr Gokul Shankar Sabesan
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine

Adopted from the slides compiled by Dr Anita Devi

Learning Objectives

 Discuss the general properties of the causative agent C2

Describe predisposing factors and pathogenesis in skin and other
infections C2
State the clinical manifestations C1
Discuss the laboratory diagnosis C2
Discuss the role of drug resistance C2

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Risk factors / Predisposing factors

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Deleterious effects
of P. aeruginosa on
epithelial integrity
and repair.
Pathogenesis
Causes additional tissue damage in burns and other wounds
Delays healing
 Phospholipase and lecithinase - Destroys lecithin (component of cell
membranes) and causes cell death
Pyocyanin (acts as siderophore) – Acquires irons from environment,
also disrupts nasal cilia and respiratory epithelium.
Drug resistance

P. aeruginosa has varying resistance to antibiotics:

• Multi-drug resistant: resistant to at least 1 agent in > 3 antibiotic categories
• Extensively drug resistant: resistant to at least 1 agent in all but 2 antibiotic
categories
• Pan-drug resistant: resistant to all antibiotic categories

 Appropriate medication for treatment after performing AST.

 For systemic infection, antibacterial medication usually given intravenously
in high doses.

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Precautions/ Prevention

•Hygiene within the hospital:

• Use of appropriate sterile technique
• Careful cleaning of communal sinks and showers
•Periodic monitoring, replacement, and cleaning of:
• Respiratory support equipment
• Intravenous (IV) lines (especially long-term lines)
• Catheters
• Prompt wound care (removing dead tissue from burn wounds and
application of antimicrobial cream)

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P – Pseudomonas/ Pigments/Polysaccharide capsule/Phospholipase
R – Risk factors (Neutropenia, Burn injuries, Cystic fibrosis, Immuno-
compromised, hospital stay)
O – Oxidase positive / Opportunistic
F – Fluorescein (pyoverdine)
E – Exotoxins /Endotoxin
S – Skin infections (hot tub folliculitis/ burns)
S – Sepsis (complication)
O – Otitis externa (swimmer’s ear)/ osteomyelitis
R –Rod shaped (Gram negative)

X – Extremely drug resistance (XDR)