Collection

Pseudomonas aeruginosa: guidance, data and analysis

• From: Public Health England
• Part of: Infectious diseases
• Published: 8 June 2014
• Last updated: 1 April 2017, see all updates

The characteristics, diagnosis, management and epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium often found in soil and ground water. P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen and it rarely affects healthy individuals. It can cause a wide range of infections, particularly in those with a weakened immune system eg cancer patients, newborns and people with severe burns, diabetes mellitus or cystic fibrosis.

P. aeruginosa infections are sometimes associated with contact with contaminated water. In hospitals, the organism can contaminate devices that are left inside the body, such as respiratory equipment and catheters. P. aeruginosa is resistant to many commonly-used antibiotics.

Epidemiology

From April 2017, the government extended the surveillance of bacteraemias caused by Gram-negative organisms to include P. aeruginosa. This is in addition to the existing E. coli collection intended to reduce infections by 50% by 2021. Read NHS Improvement’s plans to reduce these infections.

Patient-level data of any P. aeruginosa bloodstream infections are reported monthly to Public Health England.

1. Pseudomonas spp. and Stenotrophomonas spp. voluntary surveillance

   • 23 September 2016
   • Research and analysis

2. Pseudomonas spp. and Stenotrophomonas spp. voluntary surveillance: 2012

   • 19 July 2013
   • Research and analysis

3. Pseudomonas spp. and Stenotrophomonas spp. voluntary surveillance: 2007 to 2011

   • 20 July 2011
   • Research and analysis

Document information

Published: 8 June 2014

Updated: 1 April 2017

+ full page history

1. 1 April 2017 Updated epidemiology section.
2. 8 June 2014 First published.

From: Public Health England

Part of: Infectious diseases