The epidemiological profile of infections with multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species.
Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Acinetobacter species that are resistant to all, or almost all, commercially available antibiotics are now prevalent worldwide. Typically, these strains are recovered from patients in intensive care units who have ventilator-associated pneumonia. "Panresistant" strains can be defined as strains that are resistant to all beta -lactam and quinolone antibiotics recommended as empirical therapy for ventilator-associated pneumonia. These strains are well adapted to the hospital environment--molecular epidemiological studies have frequently revealed that only 1 or 2 clones caused outbreaks in intensive care units. However, panresistant strains may also be selected by antibiotic use. Given the lack of antibiotic options to treat infection with panresistant strains, enhanced surveillance for these organisms is necessary at unit-specific, institutional, and national levels.
Paterson
David L
DL
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. patersond@dom.pitt.edu
D000150:Acinetobacter / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D000151:Acinetobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics