Diseases caused by Ps. aeruginosa

An opportunistic, nosocomial pathogen of immunocompromised individuals, Ps. aeruginosa typically infect the pulmonary tract, urinary tract, burns, wounds, and also causes other blood infections (Todar, 2008). It is the most common cause of infections of burn injuries and of the external ear (otitis externa), and is the most frequent colonizer of medical devices (e.g., catheters). Pseudomonas can in rare circumstances causes community-acquired pneumonias as well as ventilator-associated pneumonias, being one of the most common agents isolated in several studies. One in ten hospital-acquired infections are from Pseudomonas. Cystic fibrosis patients are also predisposed to Ps. aeruginosa infection of the lungs. Ps. aeruginosa may also be a common cause of "hot-tub rash" (dermatitis), caused by lack of proper, periodic attention to water quality. The most common cause of burn infections is Ps. aeruginosa. Pseudomonas is also a common cause of postoperative infection in radial keratotomy surgery patients. The organism is also associated with the skin lesion ecthyma gangrenosum. Ps. aeruginosa is frequently associated with osteomyelitis involving puncture wounds of the foot (Diekema et al., 1999).