title: Evolving epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.
abstract: The dramatic increase in infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa over the last three decades is examined in this review. By virtue of its unique growth characteristics, this organism occupies a firm niche in the hospital environment where it continues to be a major nosocomial pathogen, with particularly high rates of infection in traditionally susceptible patient subpopulations: the compromised host, patients with malignancy, cystic fibrosis, burn wounds and trauma. In recent years infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa has become more prominent in other patient subpopulations: for example, post-surgical, pediatric and dialysis patients, as well as the elderly. A more interesting evolution in the epidemiology of infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the appearance, often anecdotal, of new manifestations in healthy, non-hospitalized hosts e.g. the water-associated syndromes, puncture wounds, drug addiction. The need for better data on the prevalence of these infections, the required host-organism interactions and their practical impact sets an agenda for future investigation.
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications