Epidemiology and risk factors of extensively drug-resistant <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> infections

<div><p>Background</p><p>The incidence of nosocomial infections from extensively drug-resistant <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (XDR-PA) has been increasing worldwide. We investigated the prevalence and factors associated with XDR-PA infections, including the factors that predict mortality.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We retrospectively studied a cohort of adult, hospitalized patients with <i>P</i>. <i>aeruginosa</i> (PA) infections between April and December 2014.</p><p>Results</p><p>Of the 255 patients with PA infections, 56 (22%) were due to XDR-PA, 32 (12.5%) to multidrug resistant <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (MDR-PA), and 167 (65.5%) to non-MDR PA. Receiving total parenteral nutrition (adjusted OR [aOR] 6.21; 95% CI 1.05–36.70), prior carbapenem use (aOR 4.88; 95% CI 2.36–10.08), and prior fluoroquinolone use (aOR 3.38; 95% CI 1.44–7.97) were independently associated with the XDR-PA infections. All XDR-PA remained susceptible to colistin. Factors associated with mortality attributable to the infections were the presence of sepsis/septic shock (aOR 11.60; 95% CI 4.66–28.82), admission to a medical department (aOR 4.67; 95% CI 1.81–12.06), receiving a central venous catheter (aOR 3.78; 95% CI 1.50–9.57), and XDR-PA infection (aOR 2.73; 95% CI 1.05–7.08).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The prevalence of XDR-PA infections represented almost a quarter of <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> hospital-acquired infections and rendered a higher mortality. The prompt administration of an appropriate empirical antibiotic should be considered when an XDR-PA infection is suspected.</p>