Spread of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa clones in a university hospital

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Replication of the Ordered, Nonredundant Library of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 Transposon Insertion Mutants
11:35

Replication of the Ordered, Nonredundant Library of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 Transposon Insertion Mutants

Published on: May 4, 2018

Maria Koutsogiannou1, Eleanna Drougka, Apostolos Liakopoulos

  • 1Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|December 18, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A university hospital experienced an outbreak of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA). Most infections occurred in the intensive care unit (ICU), with specific genetic markers identified in the pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical microbiology
  • Infectious diseases
  • Hospital epidemiology

Background:

  • Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA) poses a significant threat in healthcare settings.
  • Outbreaks require detailed epidemiological and molecular characterization to guide control measures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the characteristics of an MDRPA outbreak in a university hospital.
  • To identify the genetic and molecular features of the outbreak strains.

Main Methods:

  • Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of 240 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.
  • Detection of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) genes and type III secretion system (T3SS) toxin genes.
  • Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing and sequence typing (ST).

Main Results:

  • 152 patients, primarily in the intensive care unit (ICU), were colonized or infected.
  • The majority of isolates belonged to serotype O11.
  • Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) production was linked to bla(VIM-2) or bla(VIM-1) genes.
  • T3SS toxin genes were prevalent in most isolates.
  • Five dominant PFGE types were identified, associated with specific STs (ST235, ST111, ST253, ST309, ST639).

Conclusions:

  • The study details a significant MDRPA outbreak in a university hospital, predominantly affecting ICU patients.
  • Molecular analysis revealed specific genetic determinants (MBL genes, T3SS toxins) and distinct molecular subtypes (PFGE, STs) contributing to the outbreak's epidemiology.

More Related Videos

Use of Artificial Sputum Medium to Test Antibiotic Efficacy Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Conditions More Relevant to the Cystic Fibrosis Lung07:46

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

Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice15:43

Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice

Published on: March 17, 2014

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...