For the entire conscious life, every person on the planet is attacked by a variety of viruses, bacteria. Some dangerous guests leave behind a number of unpleasant consequences and complications that manifest themselves in old age. Each pathogenic microorganism has its own role, task, they are all detected in different ways, and, accordingly, the specifics of their treatment are individual.
In medical practice, many dangerous diseases have been recorded that the average person does not even know about. These include Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection caused by an aerobic non-spore-forming bacillus of the genus Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is a motile bacterium that can recycle carbon sources in the environment.
The main feature is that it does not require special nutrients to maintain its vital activity, it perfectly adapts and reproduces in an environment with a complete absence of organic substances. It can even exist in disinfectants and develop in ordinary distilled liquid.
The main goal of today'spublication is a detailed acquaintance with the clinical and epidemiological properties of this bacterium, the definition of methods of antibiotic therapy. We will tell you why nosocomial infections are dangerous, what pathologies entail, and find out the features of alternative treatment.
Characteristic
Official science knows about 140 varieties of gram-negative bacteria of this subspecies. Their main habitat is the environment. The pathogen prefers moist soil, water, lives inside plants, in the gastrointestinal tract of animals and even humans. The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa thrives at temperatures from 37 to 42 degrees, actively multiplies and grows rapidly.
Pathogenic microorganism poses a threat to humans, resistant to most antibacterial and antimicrobial drugs. It is worth noting that in 10% of he althy people, the bacterium is found on the skin, in the groin, near the auricles, nasopharyngeal mucosa and as part of the intestinal microflora.
Science suggests that the risk of a dangerous disease exists if the amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exceeds the permissible limits. Persons with chronic diseases and weakened immune systems are most susceptible to severe pathological processes. You can pick up the pathogen by aerosol, food, contact-household way. According to statistics, most often infection occurs in a medical institution through medical equipment, untreated instruments, solutions, antiseptics, endoscopes.
Latelyhospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections (HAIs) are very relevant throughout the world. The most susceptible to them are small children, the elderly, patients with weak immunological reactivity. To reduce the risk of infection spread, new innovative diagnostic and therapeutic methods, instrumental equipment are being created to detect nosological forms of the disease.
Read more about nosocomial infections
The World He alth Organization is sounding the alarm about the number of sick patients who were hospitalized in a medical facility. Nosocomial infections, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are a serious problem for the entire world community, often resulting in death. This is due to poor sanitary treatment of premises, equipment, the presence of a latent disease among he alth workers. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is detected in the internal organs, in torn and purulent wounds, as well as small cuts, respiratory tract, intestinal tract. Depending on the location of the pathogen, characteristic symptoms appear.
Typical signs
A pathogenic microorganism can affect many tissues and organs of a person, while not giving itself away for a long period of time, causing significant damage to he alth. Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes serious complications: sepsis, gangrenous ecthyma, necrosis, meningitis, and so on. With the defeat of the urinary system, the symptoms are characterized by pain during the emptying of the bladder, pain inabdominal area, burning. Many patients self-diagnose and take drugs uncontrollably.
It is extremely dangerous for humans to detect bacteria in the intestinal tract. It causes dysbacteriosis, enteritis, colitis. There are intoxication, severe pain, impaired stool, vomiting, nausea. Toxins produced by the microbe destroy blood vessels, affect liver cells and provoke hemolysis of blood cells (erythrocytes). Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the advanced stage is practically not cured and poses a threat to life.
Where is the pathogen located and what causes it?
Penetrating into the body, Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes outbreaks of infectious and inflammatory diseases in the urinary, digestive, respiratory, and pulmonary systems. ENT organs are subject to destructive effects. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is diagnosed in the ear, causing purulent otitis media with an admixture of blood. The infection can manifest as rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, adenoiditis, pneumonia and bronchitis.
And when the urinary system is seized, urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis develop. With burns, ulcers, purulent wounds, the bacterium provokes the development of abscess and sepsis. The risk group includes bedridden patients who are not properly cared for. As a result of prolonged immobilization, weeping bedsores are formed - the gate for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There are many pathologies that cause Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Their therapy is difficult and requires maximum control by the doctor.
Often Pseudomonas aeruginosafound in people diagnosed with acute pneumonia. Infection can provoke endocarditis, pathology of the central nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. Sometimes a local bacterium turns into a fatal bacteremia (infection of the whole organism), in which case the prognosis will be deplorable. It must be said that the mechanism of the destructive effect of this bacillus occurs in two stages: invasive and toxigenic.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a child: how dangerous?
World pediatrics is concerned about the increasing incidence of nosocomial infections at an early age. They are mainly affected by underweight, premature and debilitated children. There are data on lethal outcomes (11%). Localization of the pathogen often extends to the intestinal tract, respiratory tract and ENT organs. In each individual case, individual complex therapy is required. Without fail, the child is sent to the infectious diseases department.
Clinical presentation in children
Increasingly, cases of patients with pneumonia, which is provoked by a gram-negative bacterium of the genus Pseudomonas, are being recorded. Symptoms are pronounced: high fever, debilitating cough with viscous and copious sputum. A day later, pus is released, shortness of breath and oxygen starvation are observed.
The x-ray shows significant changes in the lungs. Requires immediate treatment. It is no less dangerous when a Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a child penetrates the gastrointestinal tract. There are severe vomiting, diarrhea mixed with mucus and pus, pain in the abdomen.
There are serious violations of the intestinal microflora, convulsions, heaviness and rumbling, the baby very quickly loses fluid reserves, which threatens with dehydration. The infection manifests itself in children suffering from cystic fibrosis (cystic fibrosis) - a hereditary disease. Against the background of this pathology, protective antibodies do not fight a foreign agent, and antibiotics do little to help, as a result of which the bacterium progresses at lightning speed, gradually killing a living organism.
Diagnostic measures
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is not determined by visual examination and general history. Be sure to take a bacteriological culture to identify the bacillus (purulent contents, mucus, urine, blood), and a serological study is carried out. Based on the results obtained, antibodies of the pathogen are detected, a final assessment is made, and therapy is selected and established. Cultural diagnostics is not difficult and is carried out in the shortest possible time.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: how to treat pathology?
Just 20 years ago, the bacterium did not respond to therapy, deaths occurred much more often than in the 21st century. Science has managed to achieve maximum results in the fight against this insidious disease. Scientists have invented powerful antibacterial agents that block pathogenic microorganisms. These include:
- fluoroquinolones;
- carbapenems;
- ureidopenicillins;
- monobactams.
To our deepest regret, this type of pathogenicbacteria mutates, develops resistance even to improved antimicrobial drugs. In order to completely suppress the infection and exclude recurrence, it is advisable to start therapy at an early stage in the development of the disease. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is treated for a long time (at least two weeks). Antibiotics are prescribed after passing the necessary tests and confirming the diagnosis. Only a doctor determines which drugs are appropriate in a given case.
Usually, stepwise (alternating) treatment with antibiotics is prescribed: intravenously, then intramuscularly. In case of damage to the urinary system, instillations are required (a catheter with medicine is inserted into the bladder). If the infection has affected the mucous membranes and skin, then compresses, lotions, gauze bandages are applied, rinses, injections are made.
If necessary, surgical excision of dead tissue is performed, this is noted with bedsores. An integral part of therapy is to strengthen the body's defenses. Pharmaceutics considers the bacteriophage of P. This is a modern antibacterial solution that stops pathogenic cells. Suitable for the treatment of all localizations. Used rectally, orally and topically. Increases the synthesis of immunoglobulin, relieves severe symptoms and helps recovery. After a full course of treatment and the elimination of the clinical picture, after about ten days, it is necessary to re-analyze to identify the pathogen. If the culture again shows a positive reaction, it is prescribednew antibiotic.
Additional therapies
It is advisable to combine the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with general tonic, probiotic and homeopathic remedies, but only under the strict supervision of a doctor. In a certain dosage, a vitamin-mineral complex is prescribed, aimed at strengthening the immune system. During the period of therapy, it is necessary to observe a balanced diet, eliminating harmful carbohydrates and fats. The menu should be light, enriched with proteins, fresh vegetables and fruits.
Alternative methods of getting rid of the infection
Without consultation and recommendation of a specialist, it is extremely dangerous to prescribe certain medicinal herbs. It is not known what kind of reaction they will cause in your case. We strongly advise you not to risk your own he alth. Some practitioners and homeopaths prescribe plant components in the complex. If you follow all the instructions and follow the advice of medical professionals, you can forever say goodbye to the diagnosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Folk remedies, such as horsetail, aspen leaves, tea tree oil, chamomile, help in eliminating the inflammatory process and ease the course of the disease. A beekeeping product, propolis, which has antibacterial, antiseptic properties, has proven itself well. Since ancient times, decoctions, infusions, ointments for local use have been made from it. Let's describe some folk recipes.
- In equal proportions, brew the leaves of the fieldhorsetail (or plantain) and aspen with boiling water. Drink daily 30 g (two tablespoons) before meals, only diluted (with tea or water). You can rinse the larynx, rinse the sinuses. The home remedy has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects.
- Folk healers recommend using natural antibiotics to treat various ailments. These include tea tree oil, which is sold in the pharmacy chain. You should combine a drop of this liquid with a dessert spoon of olive oil. Drink once a day with water.
- Take two cups of boiling water for a tablespoon of viburnum berries. Infuse for about an hour until the solution acquires a rich color. Take 100 ml four times a day. A similar decoction is made from rose hips. Infused in a thermos and drunk like tea.
- Make a healing anti-infective infusion of five dried or fresh calendula flowers and 250 ml of boiling water. The mixture is infused for an hour. In the cooled solution, add a large spoonful of alcohol tincture of propolis. Take three times a day for 50 grams. The combination of two medicinal plant components stimulates immunobiological processes, has a detrimental effect on pathogenic microbes, slows down their growth and development. In addition, this decoction exhibits anesthetic and fungicidal effects.
Remember that alternative treatments are in addition to medical therapy and will not prevent infection on their own. They are only aimed at strengthening the immune system andreducing inflammation. You must clearly understand and be aware of the contraindications of the herbs and plants that you are taking.
About prevention
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (an infection) is very common in the environment and can colonize the internal organs of a person, causing great harm. To be safe, you must follow the unspoken rules, observe basic hygiene. It is easier to pick up a bacterium in a hospital setting than from another person. If a source of infection is suspected, all family members living in the same apartment should be cultured.
Primary and main prevention is to control he alth, or rather the immune system. Provide your body with balanced food raw materials, always wash your hands thoroughly in soapy water after gardening, walking. Use wet wipes outside when you want to eat.
To combat the pathogen, he althcare workers must keep their hands, facilities and equipment clean. Be sure to sterilize endotracheal tubes, treat catheters with special solutions. To exclude infection in hot baths and pools, constantly monitor the water pH value (7, 2-7, 8) and the concentration of chloride substances (70.5 mg/l).
All found sources of bacterial contamination in medical facilities must be destroyed immediately. Patients with suspicious symptoms should be examined promptly and placed in the infectious disease ward to avoidspread of pathology. In this way, it will be possible to minimize the incidence of infection and correctly adjust the treatment.
What are the consequences?
Prognosis directly depends on the presence of concomitant pathological processes. The results of therapy will be positive with the use of a number of broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has a detrimental effect on many vital functions, especially on the children's body. In some cases, after long-term treatment and elimination of the main manifestations, after a certain period of time, the symptoms may recur or worsen against the background of existing pathologies.
If there are suspicious signs of a deterioration in your general state of he alth, do not be too lazy to undergo an examination, at least take a biochemical blood test and urine. If you do not trust the results obtained, consult several specialists on a disturbing problem. Pay maximum attention to your he alth, always listen to the signals that the body gives.
Each disease has characteristic signs that mainly occur at an acute stage, then subside. As you know, the latent form indicates that the pathology has passed into a chronic form. In this case, therapy will be difficult, it will take a lot of time and effort. Never give up, fight illnesses, surround yourself with positive emotions, get rid of depression and longing. The path to good he alth is through prevention. Remember this and don't get sick!
