W27-L4: Psuedomonas Flashcards
What can opportunistic infections indicate?
other abnormalities that has predisposed the patient to opportunistic infection
What are some host factors that allow opportunistic infections?
- local site factors such as foreign material, skin damage
- systemic are extremes of age, immunodeficiencys
Why is treating opportunistic infections sometimes more difficult?
patient could be immunocompromised so requires more potent antibiotics
In what patient group is psuedomonas a big problem?
Those with cystic fibrosis
Where are most pseudomonas infections acquired from?
Environment, spread in hospital via hands and fomites
What are some diseases caused by p. aeruginosa?
- Superficial infections such as eye and skin
- deep, systemic infections such as pulmonary or UTI, septicaemia
Why is pseudomonas an issue in cystic fibrosis patients?
LPS core binds to CFTR which stimulates an immune response and helps clear bacteria, abnormal CFTR in CF means bacteria can hang around longer
Once adherent what do pseudomonas generally do?
Form biofilms
Once in biofilms what are properties of psuedomonas?
More resistance, slower growth, more adhesive and non-motile
How do biofilms work?
Bacteria talk via quorum sensing, some genes are turned off and some are turned on, gives the bacteria their biofilm properties
How is pseudomonas controlled?
Cannot be eradicated therefore prevention is critical. require high levels of hand hygiene
