Significance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization of the gastrointestinal tract.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to determine the association between gastrointestinal (GI) colonization and the development of invasive Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and risk factors for acquisition of P. aeruginosa colonization in gut.


METHODS
All stool specimens sent for microbiological examination were cultured for P. aeruginosa search for three years.


METHODS
P. aeruginosa had been isolated from stool of 207 patients for three years. Of the 207 patients, 87 patients were identified P. aeruginosa-colonized patients.


RESULTS
Forty-five (52%) were exposed to previous invasive procedures and eighty-three (95%) were prescribed antibiotics before the isolation of P. aeruginosa. Fourteen distinctive P. aeruginosa infections were developed in 13 patients (15%). Infections associated with GI colonization included 4 pneumonia, 4 urinary tract infection, 3 skin infection, and 3 bacteremia. The age, gender, underlying diseases, previous invasive procedures, and the duration of hospitalization were not significant. Twelve (34%) patients were diagnosed with ileus and three (9%) were undergoing gastrostomy during the acquisition of P. aeruginosa colonization in gut.


CONCLUSIONS
Gastrointestinal disorders, especially obstruction and surgical interventions, are also important for the acquisition of by P. aeruginosa, in the GI tract.
Ohara
Tomoko
T
Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Jichi Medical School, 3311-1 Minamikawachi-machi, Kawachi-gun, Tochigi 329-0498.
Itoh
Kouichi
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires