Psuedomonas Aeuginosa Flashcards
What makes Pseudomonas aeruginosa an opportunistic pathogen?
It only causes infections in individuals with weakened immune systems or damaged tissues.
Describe two common infection sites of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in hospitalised patients.
Pulmonary tract (lungs) and urinary tract.
Name two symptoms associated with pulmonary Pseudomonas infections.
Coughing and shortness of breath.
Why is Pseudomonas aeruginosa difficult to treat with antibiotics?
It is naturally resistant to many antibiotics and adapts easily to environments.
Identify two environmental sources of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in hospitals.
Contaminated sinks and respiratory equipment.
What is the primary route of exogenous transmission of Pseudomonas aeruginosa?
Indirect contact via contaminated surfaces or medical equipment.
Explain why patients with indwelling medical devices are at increased risk of pseudomonal infection.
Devices like catheters provide a pathway for bacteria to enter the body and bypass natural defenses.
What are two diagnostic methods used to detect Pseudomonas aeruginosa?
Blood cultures (showing fluorescent colonies) and environmental swabs.
Define nosocomial infection and provide one example.
An infection acquired in a hospital setting; e.g., MRSA or Pseudomonas from a catheter.
What does a pink result on a Gram stain indicate about a bacterium?
It is Gram-negative.
Outline one difference between endogenous and exogenous transmission.
Endogenous originates from the patient’s own flora; exogenous comes from the environment or others.
What is MRSA, and why is it significant in hospital settings?
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; it resists common antibiotics and spreads easily.
Name one method used to prevent the transmission of bacteria via healthcare worker hands
Regular and correct hand washing or sanitising.
Explain the term fomite and give a relevant healthcare example.
An object that can carry infection, e.g., a contaminated stethoscope.
What does the term facultative anaerobe mean in microbiology?
A bacterium that can grow with or without oxygen.
List 4 ways Pseudomonas aeruginosa is transmitted:
direct contact with contaminated water (ingesting or bathing)
Inhalation of aerosoals
Medical devices rinsed with contaminated water
Indirect contact from surfaces va health workers hands
What are some symptoms of a pseudomonas infection?
Chills, fever, coughing, shortness of breath, sleep issues, ear and eye issues, urinary tract infections, inflammation
How long can pseudomonas survive in the environment?
6 hours to 16 months on dry surfaces
Compare and contrast viruses and bacteria in terms of their structure, reproduction, and treatment.
Structure:
Bacteria are living cells that have a basic structure, including a cell wall and a cell membrane.
Viruses are not cells; they are just a tiny piece of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat.
Reproduction:
Bacteria can reproduce on their own by splitting in half.
Viruses need to infect a living cell to make more of themselves.
Treatment:
Bacteria can usually be treated with antibiotics.
Viruses can’t be treated with antibiotics. Doctors use antiviral medicines or vaccines to control them.
The HAI of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been reported as high as :
1:10
Exogenous transmission with pseudomonas can be found in direct or indirect transmission with contaminated water?
True
