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  • Title: Ecology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the intensive care unit and the evolving role of water outlets as a reservoir of the organism.
    Author: Trautmann M, Lepper PM, Haller M.
    Journal: Am J Infect Control; 2005 Jun; 33(5 Suppl 1):S41-9. PubMed ID: 15940115.
    Abstract:
    In spite of the significant changes in the spectrum of organisms causing intensive care unit (ICU)-associated infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa has held a nearly unchanged position in the rank order of pathogens causing ICU-related infections during the last 4 decades. Horizontal transmissions between patients have long been considered the most frequent source of P aeruginosa colonizations/infections. The application of molecular typing methods made it possible, during the last approximately 7 years, to identify ICU tap water as a significant source of exogenous P aeruginosa isolates. A review of prospective studies published between 1998 and 2005 showed that between 9.7% and 68.1% of randomly taken tap water samples on different types of ICUs were positive for P aeruginosa , and between 14.2% and 50% of infection/colonization episodes in patients were due to genotypes found in ICU water. Faucets are easily accessible for preventive measures, and the installation of single-use filters on ICU water outlets appears to be an effective concept to reduce water-to-patient transmissions of this important nosocomial pathogen.
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