Aeruginosa infections
This page looks at common bacteria that infect the lungs. Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung disease and lower respiratory tract infections with pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa are associated with cystic fibrosis (CF) and other chronic lung conditions.
Progressive lung disease is the main cause of illness and death in people with CF and it is estimated that 70% of them are chronically infected with P. aeruginosa. The bacteria colonise the lower airways of such people and carry toxic materials into lung cells and damage them. The body's response to P. aeruginosa includes inflammation, which causes repeated exacerbations or episodes of intense breathing problems.
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How is infection caused?
It is still unclear what causes P. aeruginosa infections. Evidence shows that in some cases it can be caught from other infected people. There is always a low level of P. aeruginosa in the atmosphere and this environmental P. aeruginosa is thought to be a possible source of infection. We do know that more people get P. aeruginosa infections in Winter (October to March) than in any other time of the year.
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Can P. aeruginosa infections be treated?
Although antibiotics can decrease the frequency and duration of these attacks, P. aeruginosa is resistant to many antibiotics as the bacterium establishes a permanent residence and can never be completely eliminated from the lungs.
Oral non-steroid anti inflammatory agents (ibubrufen, peroxicam) and inhaled budesonide have been shown to be efficient in the maintenance of lung function without serious side effects and are now used routinely.
Other treatments for P. aeruginosa lung disease include bronchodilators and chest physiotherapy to help fight infection and clear the lung passages.
However, studies show that a poor prognosis is associated with P. aeruginosa infections and 51% of acute exacerbations of respiratory symptoms were associated with chronic infection with these bacteria.
