Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Use of Artificial Sputum Medium to Test Antibiotic Efficacy Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Conditions More Relevant to the Cystic Fibrosis Lung
07:46

Use of Artificial Sputum Medium to Test Antibiotic Efficacy Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Conditions More Relevant to the Cystic Fibrosis Lung

Published on: June 5, 2012

The evolution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa during antibiotic rotation in a medical intensive care unit: the RADAR-trial

D T Tsukayama1, H J van Loon, C Cartwright

  • 1Department of Medicine, Hennepin County Medical Center, 701 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA. tsuka001@umn.edu

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|September 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant ICU problem. This study found that resistant strains have a survival advantage, becoming frequent colonizers and contributing to high prevalence.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Antibiotic-resistant pathogens are prevalent in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
  • Bacterial spread between patients contributes to this high prevalence.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of ICU infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the behavior of Pseudomonas aeruginosa under various antibiotic regimens.
  • To identify predominant clones and track the spread of resistant strains within an ICU setting.

Main Methods:

  • Susceptibility pattern analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.
  • Genotyping (ribotyping) to identify and track bacterial clones.
  • Correlation of antibiotic usage with resistance patterns.

Main Results:

  • Eighty-two Pseudomonas isolates yielded 28 distinct ribotypes.
  • Four major clones accounted for 51% of isolates and were found across multiple study cycles.
  • Clones with multiple occurrences showed higher antibiotic resistance than single-occurrence clones.
  • A large number of ribotypes suggests de novo development of antibiotic resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa likely arises de novo within the ICU.
  • Resistant strains possess a survival advantage, leading to frequent colonization.
  • Understanding clonal dynamics is crucial for controlling antibiotic resistance in ICUs.

More Related Videos

Antibiotic Efficacy Testing in an Ex vivo Model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms in the Cystic Fibrosis Lung09:26

Antibiotic Efficacy Testing in an Ex vivo Model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms in the Cystic Fibrosis Lung

Published on: January 22, 2021

Tools for the Real-Time Assessment of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection Model07:39

Tools for the Real-Time Assessment of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection Model

Published on: April 6, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Antibiotic Selection00:57

Antibiotic Selection

Overview
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Evolution of New Traits in Microbes01:24

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...