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Aeromonas bacteraemia in burn patients
D J Barillo1, A T McManus, W G Cioffi
1US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA.
Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Aeromonas hydrophilia bloodstream infections are rare in burn patients but can occur without aquatic exposure. This infection is associated with a high mortality rate in thermally injured individuals.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
- Burn Management
Background:
- Aeromonas hydrophilia infections are typically linked to immunosuppression, chronic illness, or trauma in aquatic environments.
- Burn injuries can compromise the immune system, potentially increasing susceptibility to infections like Aeromonas hydrophilia.
Observation:
- A retrospective review of 8151 burn patients admitted between 1959 and 1994 was conducted.
- Eight patients were identified with clinically significant Aeromonas hydrophilia bacteremia.
- Five of these patients had sustained burns outside the USA, and aquatic exposure was known or suspected in only three cases.
Findings:
- Aeromonas hydrophilia bacteremia in burn patients is a rare occurrence.
- The pathogen can cause severe infections even without a clear history of aquatic exposure.
- The mortality rate among the identified cases was high, with five out of eight patients dying.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider Aeromonas hydrophilia as a potential pathogen in burn patients, even without typical risk factors.
- Early recognition and appropriate treatment are crucial due to the high mortality associated with this infection in burn victims.
- Further research may be warranted to understand the specific mechanisms and risk factors for Aeromonas hydrophilia infections in thermally injured patients.