[Prevalence of serotype 0:12 among strains of P. aeruginosa causing nosocomial infection in Spain (1980-1991)].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to characterize P. aeruginosa strains causing nosocomial infection in Spain between 1980-1990 with special emphasis on the incidence of serotype 0:12 strains.


METHODS
11,411 strains of P. aeruginosa from hospital-acquired infections were studied and epidemiologically characterized by phage-typing, serotyping and sensitivity to antimicrobial agents. The strains of the 0:12 serotype were analyzed by isoenzyme analysis.


RESULTS
Although the major serotypes throughout the period studied were: 0:1, 0:6 and 0:11, the existence of serotype 0:12 strains (6%) were detected which had produced nosocomial outbreaks in surrounding countries. This serotype is homogeneous in that the epidemiologic markers and patterns of sensitivity to antibiotics and the multienzyme analysis demonstrate uniformity in the electrophoretic patterns of all the strains studied.


CONCLUSIONS
The 0:12 serotype is in Spain indistinguishable by phage typing and studies of antibiotic sensitivity. It may be considered as being of clonal origin and is probably equal to that existing elsewhere in Europe.
Vindel
A
A
Laboratorio de Infecciones Intrahospitalarias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid.
Azañedo
L
L
Trincado
P
P
Martín-Bourgón
C
C
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D001434:Bacteriophage Typing; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011709:Pyocins / Q000032:analysis; D012703:Serotyping; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D007527:Isoenzymes; D011709:Pyocins
Prevalencia del serotipo 0:12 de cepas de P. aeruginosa productoras de infección nosocomial en España (1980-1991).