[Epidemiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates within the burned patient hospitalized in the intensive care burn unit].

BACKGROUND

Pseudomonas aeruginosa plays a predominant role as an etiological agent involved in serious infections in burned patients. Treatment of these infections is frequently complicated by antibiotic resistance, a problem that is is increasing in recent years.

AIM

The objective of this study is to analyze epidemiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility of P. aeruginosa isolates within the burned patients admitted in our intensive care department.

METHODS

During a period of 4 years (2000/2003), 828 burn patients were admitted.

RESULTS

The survey of antibiotic susceptibility of P. aeruginosa showed high percentages of resistance to the different antibiotics. 60.9% of strains were resistant to piperacillin, 53.4% to ceftazidime, 37.6% to imipenem, 70.6% to cefsulodine, 59.3% to tobramycin, 80% to gentamicin, 62.4% to amikacin and 53.4% to ciprofloxacin.

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to implement urgent measures to prevent the spreading of this multiresistant strain. These measures include: sensible limitation of the use of antimicrobial agent, strict disinfection and hygienic procedures.