Pseudomonas: Definition, Causes, Treatment, and Symptoms

What are Pseudomonas Infections?

A pseudomonas infection is caused by a bacterium and strike only persons who are very ill and usually hospitalized often causing nosocomial infections. The bacteria are found widely in the environment, namely soil, water, and plants. They do not cause infection usually in healthy people. These infections occur in people who are already hospitalized with another illness or condition. These organisms present natural resistance to numerous antibiotics and can causes serious and often life-threatening diseases.

pseudomonas

Causes Of Pseudomonas Infections? 

Pseudomonas infections are generated by a free-living bacterium from the genus Pseudomonas. They are found broadly in soil and water favourably in moist areas. Among all, only few species generate disease. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common species that causes this infection.

Symptoms of Pseudomonas Infections

Symptoms depend on where the infection occurs:

Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Include

  • Enteritis might lead to symptoms like headache, fever, prostration, and diarrhoea
  • This kind of clinical infection is variable according to individual.
  • Acute diarrhoea of pseudomonal infection may happen in neonates.

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections Include

  • Hospital admission is essential once symptoms show up and the patient might need catheterisation or operation.
  • Acute infections show symptoms like abscess in renal area and bacteraemia.

Symptoms of Blood Infection Include

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle and joint pains

Infection of the Lungs is called Pneumonia. Symptoms Include

  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Difficulty in breathing

Skin Infection caused by this Bacteria is called as Folliculitis. Symptoms Include

  • Itchy rash
  • Bleeding ulcers
  • Headache

Ear Infection Symptoms Include

  • Inflation or swelling
  • Ear pain
  • Itching inside and discharge from the ear
  • Difficulty in hearing

Symptoms of an Eye Infection Include

  • Irritation or inflammation
  • Pus
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Impaired vision

Symptoms of Bones and Joints Include

  • Piercing trauma
  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • Intravenous drug abuse and diabetes 

Treatment for Pseudomonas Infections

Pseudomonas infections are cured with antibiotics. However, many hospital infections are becoming more demanding to treat. This bacterium has developed the ability to adjust and overcome antibiotics in their habitat. This is called antibiotic resistance. The spread in antibiotic resistance has made treating such infections much more challenging. Pseudomonas can create resistance to multiple types of antibiotics. It can even sometimes develop resistance during the course of treatment.

Treatment may Involve one or more of the Following

  • Patients with infections that are serious are treated with options like piperacillin and ticarcillin
  • Antibiotics like nebulised antipseudomonal showed to recuperate the functioning of the lungs in patients having cystic fibrosis
  • Ceftazidime is effectual for patients having pseudomonal meningitis. This occurs due to the high penetration within the subarachnoid space
  • Ophthalmic aminoglycoside and quinolone antibiotic acts as an alternative in cases of eye infections of minute benign ulcers. Endophthalmitis needs assertive antibiotic therapy
  • Burn sepsis needs assertive surgical aperture
  • Urinary tract infections can be cured with antibiotics like piperacillin/tazobactam combined with aminoglycoside

Surgery is Required in the following Cases

  • If the narcotic tissue has faced debridement
  • Elimination of medical items that are infected
  • Malignant otitis needs granulation of tissue and debris of necrotic
  • Perforation, bowel necrosis, blockage or drainage abscess
  • If the patient has endophthalmitis, the procedure needed is vitrectomy