Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice
Published on: March 17, 2014
Outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteraemia in a haematology department
Benjamin Schnack Rasmussen1, Nikolas Christensen, Jan Sørensen
1Endokrinologisk Afdeling M, Odense Universitetshospital, Søndre Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark. bsr@rsyd.dk.
Introduction:
Infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. In Denmark, an increase in P. aeruginosa isolates from blood cultures from a haematology department prompted a hygienic audit in 2007.
Methods:
Blood cultures that tested positive for P. aeruginosa were collected from the laboratory information system (MADS, Skejby Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark). Environmental samples were obtained from shower heads in the department. The genotype was established by pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). An audit was conducted during the outbreak and 12 months later. The audits were conducted by the method of direct observation.
Results:
Several PFGE types were involved with no clear association to isolates from environmental samples. The audit revealed poor hygiene related to the handling of central venous catheters. After optimising catheter hygiene, the number of P. aeruginosa bacteraemia cases fell significantly.
Conclusion:
Since no clear association between patient and environmental genotype was established, it was suspected that central venous catheters were the main portal of entry. This was further supported by a simultaneous decline in bacteraemia cases with coagulase-negative staphylococci. Though several hygienic precautions were taken, the increased focus on disinfection of hubs and injection ports was presumably the more important element.
Funding:
not relevant.
Trial Registration:
not relevant.
Insights
Improved central venous catheter hygiene significantly reduced Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infections in immunocompromised patients. Enhanced disinfection of catheter hubs and ports was key to preventing this serious hospital-acquired infection.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections pose a significant threat to immunocompromised individuals, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality.
- An observed increase in P. aeruginosa bloodstream isolates in a Danish haematology department necessitated an investigation into potential sources and control measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of increased Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infections in a haematology department.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of hygienic interventions in reducing P. aeruginosa bacteraemia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective collection of P. aeruginosa positive blood cultures.
- Environmental sampling of shower heads.
- Genotyping of bacterial isolates using pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).
- Direct observation audits of hygiene practices before and after intervention.
Main Results:
- No direct genotypic link was found between patient isolates and environmental samples from shower heads.
- Audits identified poor hygiene in the management of central venous catheters as a critical issue.
- Implementation of optimized catheter care protocols led to a significant decrease in P. aeruginosa bacteraemia.
Conclusions:
- Central venous catheters are strongly suspected as the primary route of P. aeruginosa entry into the bloodstream.
- The reduction in coagulase-negative staphylococci bacteraemia cases concurrently supports the catheter portal of entry hypothesis.
- Enhanced disinfection of catheter hubs and injection ports likely played a crucial role in infection control.
More Related Videos
11:35Replication of the Ordered, Nonredundant Library of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 Transposon Insertion Mutants
Published on: May 4, 2018
07:27Methods for Detecting Cytotoxic Amyloids Following Infection of Pulmonary Endothelial Cells by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Published on: July 12, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
01:23Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:28Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management