Multidruginosa Infections
Most P. aeruginosa infections occur in hospitalized patients, particularly those who are immunocompromised. P. aeruginosa is a common cause of infections in ICUs. HIV-infected patients, particularly those in advanced stages, are at risk of community-acquired P. aeruginosa infections. P. aeruginosa infections can develop in many anatomic sites, including skin, subcutaneous tissue, bone, ears, eyes, urinary tract, and heart valves. The site varies with the portal of entry and the patient’s vulnerability (Bush et al, 2016). Healthy people can also develop mild illnesses with P. aeruginosa, especially after exposure to water. Ear infections, usually in children, and generalized skin rashes may occur after exposure to inadequately chlorinated hot tubs or swimming pools. Eye infections have occasionally been reported in people using extended-wear contact lenses. Unfortunately, in hospitalized patients, P. aeruginosa infections, like those caused by many other nosocomial bacteria, are becoming more difficult to treat because of increasing antibiotic resistance. Multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa can be deadly for patients in critical care. An estimated 51,000 healthcare-associated P. aeruginosa infections occur in the United States
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each year. More than 6,000 of these are multidrug-resistant, with roughly 400 deaths per year attributed to these infections. Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas was given a threat level of serious threat in the CDC AR Threat report (CDC, 2014).
P. aeruginosa infections are treated with antibiotics. It is important that a doctor select an effective antibiotic. Determining the right antibiotic usually requires that a specimen from a patient be sent to a laboratory to test to see which antibiotics might still be effective for treating the infection. The laboratory will then test the specimen to find out which antibiotic will work the best (Cafasso, 2013). The increase in antibiotic resistance has made treating infections much more challenging.
P. aeruginosa can often develop resistance to multiple types of antibiotics. It can even sometimes develop resistance during the course of treatment (Lister et al, 2002). The choice on treatment depends on results from testing samples of blood, pus, or tissues. Treatment may involve one or more of the following types of antibiotics: ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, aminoglycosides, cefepime, aztreonam, carbapenems, ticarcillin, ureidopenicillins. Mild skin infections may resolve on their own without treatment. Usually antibiotics are applied topically, taken by mouth, or given intravenously, depending on what system of the body is infected (Cafasso,
2013). Swimmer’s ear can be effectively treated, as well as prevented, by irrigating the ears with an acetic acid (vinegar) solution before and after swimming. Or the infection can be treated with a topical antibiotic such as polymyxin applied to the ear. Eye infections are treated with highly concentrated antibiotic drops, applied frequently at first. Sometimes antibiotics must be injected directly into the eye. Urinary tract infections that cause symptoms can often be treated with levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin, taken by mouth. If these infections do not cause symptoms, they are usually not treated. Malignant external otitis, internal infections (such as pneumonia or heart valve infection), and blood infections require weeks of antibiotics given intravenously. Sometimes one antibiotic, such as ceftazidime or ciprofloxacin, is effective. But often, a combination of antibiotics is required. For heart valve infections, open-heart surgery to replace the valve plus antibiotic therapy is usually needed (Bush et al, 2016).
each year. More than 6,000 of these are multidrug-resistant, with roughly 400 deaths per year attributed to these infections. Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas was given a threat level of serious threat in the CDC AR Threat report (CDC, 2014).
P. aeruginosa infections are treated with antibiotics. It is important that a doctor select an effective antibiotic. Determining the right antibiotic usually requires that a specimen from a patient be sent to a laboratory to test to see which antibiotics might still be effective for treating the infection. The laboratory will then test the specimen to find out which antibiotic will work the best (Cafasso, 2013). The increase in antibiotic resistance has made treating infections much more challenging.
P. aeruginosa can often develop resistance to multiple types of antibiotics. It can even sometimes develop resistance during the course of treatment (Lister et al, 2002). The choice on treatment depends on results from testing samples of blood, pus, or tissues. Treatment may involve one or more of the following types of antibiotics: ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, aminoglycosides, cefepime, aztreonam, carbapenems, ticarcillin, ureidopenicillins. Mild skin infections may resolve on their own without treatment. Usually antibiotics are applied topically, taken by mouth, or given intravenously, depending on what system of the body is infected (Cafasso,
2013). Swimmer’s ear can be effectively treated, as well as prevented, by irrigating the ears with an acetic acid (vinegar) solution before and after swimming. Or the infection can be treated with a topical antibiotic such as polymyxin applied to the ear. Eye infections are treated with highly concentrated antibiotic drops, applied frequently at first. Sometimes antibiotics must be injected directly into the eye. Urinary tract infections that cause symptoms can often be treated with levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin, taken by mouth. If these infections do not cause symptoms, they are usually not treated. Malignant external otitis, internal infections (such as pneumonia or heart valve infection), and blood infections require weeks of antibiotics given intravenously. Sometimes one antibiotic, such as ceftazidime or ciprofloxacin, is effective. But often, a combination of antibiotics is required. For heart valve infections, open-heart surgery to replace the valve plus antibiotic therapy is usually needed (Bush et al, 2016).