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Nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa conjunctivitis in a pediatric hospital

S King1, S P Devi, C Mindorff

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|February 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Pseudomonas aeruginosa caused conjunctivitis in 30 pediatric patients, primarily those under 18 months old in intensive care units. Most patients had respiratory interventions before infection, highlighting the need for improved eye care protocols.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Ophthalmology
  • Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

  • Nosocomial infections pose a significant risk in pediatric healthcare settings.
  • Conjunctivitis is a notable nosocomial infection, particularly in vulnerable pediatric populations.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen frequently associated with healthcare-associated infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence and characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-associated conjunctivitis in a pediatric hospital.
  • To identify risk factors and patient demographics associated with this specific nosocomial infection.
  • To emphasize the need for enhanced eye care practices in pediatric intensive care settings.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of nosocomial infections over a 27-month period (January 1984 - April 1986).
  • Identification and analysis of conjunctivitis cases linked to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • Correlation of infection onset with patient age, primary diagnosis, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, prior cultures, and medical interventions.

Main Results:

  • Conjunctivitis represented 5% of nosocomial infections, with 30 cases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa identified.
  • The majority of affected patients (80%) were under 18 months old and frequently resided in pediatric/neonatal intensive care units (70%).
  • A high percentage of patients (70%) had preceding nasopharyngeal/endotracheal colonization with P. aeruginosa and underwent respiratory interventions (tracheostomy, intubation, oxygen, suctioning).

Conclusions:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa conjunctivitis in this pediatric cohort is strongly associated with invasive respiratory support and procedures.
  • Young age and critical illness requiring intensive care are significant risk factors.
  • Enhanced eye care protocols, particularly during respiratory and feeding tube procedures, are crucial to prevent such infections and potential sequelae like corneal scarring.

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