Epidemiology and risk factors for healthcare-associated infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a globally recognized cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The aim of our cross-sectional study, conducted in a Serbian tertiary care hospital, was to investigate clinical characteristics of HAIs caused by the PA, the prevalence of various drug-resistant phenotypes of this pathogen, and risk factors for their occurrence. Prolonged ICU stay and previous carbapenem administration were independent risk factors for HAIs caused by carbapenem-resistant PA, while HAIs caused by multidrug-resistant PA were more frequent in patients with prolonged stay in an ICU, who were previously hospitalized at another department and previously treated with aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones or glycopeptides. The prolonged ICU stay was the only significant risk factor for HAIs caused by extensively drug-resistant PA. To decrease the incidence of HAIs caused by drug-resistant PA, a multifaceted approach is necessary, including staff education, antibiotic stewardship, improving hygiene, shortening hospitalization, and minimizing exposure to invasive medical procedures/devices.

Keywords:

• Healthcare-associated infections
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• incidence density
• risk factors
• linear regression analysis
• inpatients

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Notes on contributors

Marko Folic (MD, Ph.D.) is a clinical pharmacology specialist and works at the Clinical Pharmacology Department, Clinical Centre Kragujevac and as Full Professor at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia.

Zorana Djordjevic (MD, Ph.D.) is an epidemiology specialist and works as Head of the Department of Hospital Infections Control, Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia.

Nevena Folic (MD, Ph.D.) is a pediatric specialist and works at the Pediatric Clinic, Clinical Centre Kragujevac and as an Assistant professor at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia.

Marija Zivkovic Radojevic (MD) is a radiation oncology resident and works at the Centre for Oncology and Radiology, Clinical Centre Kragujevac and is a Ph.D. student in Pharmacology and toxicology at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia.

Slobodan M. Jankovic (MD, Ph.D.) is general surgery and clinical pharmacology specialist and works as Head of the Clinical Pharmacology Department, Clinical Centre Kragujevac, and as Full Professor at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia.

Additional information

Funding

This study was partially financed by Research grant No. 175007 given by Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development.