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[Hospital infections with pseudomonas aeruginosa. II. Intensive care units (author's transl)]
Abstract:
72 newly admitted patients of three surgical intensive care units of the Medical School Hannover were examined bacteriologically for pseudomonas aeruginosa for a period of 7 months. A total of 810 specimens was examined during therapy. 95 strains of pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated in 32 of 72 patients, taken either at the time of admission or during the stay of the patients in the hospital. The frequency of contamination increased with the duration of the stay of the patients in the hospital as follows: 20 per cent at the time of admission, 71 per cent after 8 to 10-day stay and up to 100 per cent for a duration of stay exceeding 14 days. The germs were mainly localized in the nose-throat region and in the respiratory tract. The results of phage typing suggested a hospital infection in about 50 per cent of the patients. The relationship between infection and infectious disease was discussed with respect to the epidemiologic characteristics of intensive care units. Furthermore, it was attempted to formulate recommendations for interrupting or abolishing the infection chains.
Insights
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are common in surgical intensive care units, increasing with patient stay duration. Early detection and intervention are crucial to prevent hospital-acquired infections and transmission.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Surgical intensive care units (SICUs) are high-risk environments for hospital-acquired infections.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant opportunistic pathogen in healthcare settings.
- Understanding the epidemiology of P. aeruginosa colonization and infection in SICU patients is critical for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and patterns of Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization and infection in newly admitted SICU patients.
- To determine the relationship between the duration of hospital stay and the frequency of P. aeruginosa detection.
- To identify common sites of P. aeruginosa localization and to assess the contribution of hospital-acquired infections.
Main Methods:
- Bacteriological examination of 810 specimens from 72 newly admitted SICU patients over 7 months.
- Isolation and identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.
- Phage typing of isolated P. aeruginosa strains to assess infection sources.
- Analysis of colonization frequency based on the duration of patient stay.
Main Results:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from 32 out of 72 patients (44.4%).
- Colonization frequency increased significantly with the duration of hospital stay: 20% on admission, 71% after 8-10 days, and 100% after 14 days.
- The nose-throat region and respiratory tract were the primary sites of P. aeruginosa localization.
- Phage typing suggested hospital-acquired infection in approximately 50% of the positive cases.
Conclusions:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a substantial risk for SICU patients, with colonization rates escalating during prolonged stays.
- The findings highlight the importance of vigilant surveillance and infection control measures in SICUs to mitigate P. aeruginosa transmission.
- Recommendations for interrupting infection chains were formulated based on the epidemiologic characteristics observed.