Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026
Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice
Published on: March 17, 2014
P. aeruginosa colonization at ICU admission as a risk factor for developing P. aeruginosa ICU pneumonia
Fleur P Paling1, Martin Wolkewitz2, Pieter Depuydt3
1Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500, Utrecht, 3508 GA The Netherlands.
Insights
The incidence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) ICU pneumonia was 1.34%. PA colonization at ICU admission significantly increased the risk of developing this infection, highlighting a potential target for interventions.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
- Microbiology
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a significant pathogen in intensive care units (ICUs).
- PA colonization at ICU admission is a potential risk factor for subsequent ICU-acquired pneumonia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of PA ICU pneumonia.
- To assess the independent association between PA colonization at ICU admission and the development of PA ICU pneumonia.
Main Methods:
- Post-hoc analysis of a prospectively collected cohort study.
- Inclusion of adult ICU patients with ≥48 hours length of stay.
- Multivariate survival analysis accounting for competing risks, including age, gender, PA colonization, ICU specialty, and mechanical ventilation.
Main Results:
- The incidence of PA ICU pneumonia was 1.34% (68/5093 patients).
- PA colonization at ICU admission was identified as an independent risk factor (SHR 8.8; 95% CI 4.9-15.7).
- Mechanical ventilation was also an independent risk factor (SHR 5.3; 95% CI 2.7-10.6).
Conclusions:
- The incidence of PA ICU pneumonia is 1.34%.
- PA colonization at ICU admission confers a significantly higher risk (8.8-fold) of developing PA ICU pneumonia.
- PA colonization represents a potential target for future preventative interventions in ICUs.
Objective:
To determine the incidence of P. aeruginosa (PA) ICU pneumonia and its independent association with PA colonization at ICU admission.
Methods:
This was a post-hoc analysis of a prospectively collected cohort study. Adult ICU patients with a length of stay of ≥48 h were included and assessed for microbiologically confirmed PA ICU pneumonia. Multivariate survival analysis was performed, including the covariates age, gender, PA colonization at ICU admission, ICU admission specialty and mechanical ventilation at ICU admission, while taking into account the effect of competing risks.
Results:
We included 5093 patients, 2447 (48%) were tested for colonization; of those 226 (9.2%) were PA colonized at ICU admission. The incidence of PA ICU pneumonia was 1.34% (n = 68). PA colonization was an independent risk factor (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] 8.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.9-15.7), as was mechanical ventilation (SHR 5.3, 95% CI 2.7-10.6).
Conclusion:
In this study the incidence of P. aeruginosa ICU pneumonia was 1.34%. Hazard ratios for PA colonized patients compared to non-colonized to develop PA ICU pneumonia were 8.8. The high risk associated with P. aeruginosa colonization for subsequent infection may offer a target for future interventions.
More Related Videos
10:26P. aeruginosa Infected 3D Co-Culture of Bronchial Epithelial Cells and Macrophages at Air-Liquid Interface for Preclinical Evaluation of Anti-Infectives
Published on: June 15, 2020
11:35Replication of the Ordered, Nonredundant Library of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 Transposon Insertion Mutants
Published on: May 4, 2018
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.