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[Reservoirs and transmission of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in intensive care unit]

A Lashéras1, O Guisset, H Boulestreau

  • 1Service d'hygiène hospitalière, hôpital Pellegrin, place Amélie-Raba-Léon, 33076 Bordeaux cedex, France. agnes.lasheras@chu-bordeaux.fr

Medecine Et Maladies Infectieuses
|February 7, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Pseudomonas aeruginosa transmission was observed in an intensive care unit. Strict hand hygiene and regular disinfection of water taps are crucial to prevent the spread of this opportunistic pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant nosocomial pathogen.
  • Intensive care units (ICUs) are high-risk environments for healthcare-associated infections.
  • Understanding reservoirs and transmission routes is vital for infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the reservoirs and transmission of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an ICU setting.
  • To identify potential sources of P. aeruginosa contamination within the hospital environment.

Main Methods:

  • A 6-month prospective descriptive study was conducted.
  • Samples were collected from water sources, healthcare worker hands, and patients.
  • P. aeruginosa strains were analyzed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

Main Results:

  • 14 out of 211 patients (6.6%) acquired P. aeruginosa infections.
  • 80 out of 494 water samples (16.2%) were contaminated with P. aeruginosa.
  • Regularly disinfected water taps showed significantly lower contamination rates compared to others (P<10(-5)).
  • One healthcare worker hand sample was contaminated, linked to an infected patient.

Conclusions:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa cross-transmission occurred within the ICU.
  • Strict adherence to hand hygiene, including glove use and alcohol-based hand rubs, is essential.
  • Water taps represent a potential reservoir and require consistent disinfection protocols.

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