[Pseudomonas cepacia septicemias: therapeutic difficulties].

From Summer 1983 to Summer 1986, 34 cases of septicemia due to Pseudomonas cepacia could be detected in several intensive care units in the university hospital in Clermont-Ferrand (France). Intravascular catheters can be involved in the inoculation of this bacterial agent: a previous respiratory tract infection or a drained abscess can be the portal of entry of the bacteremia. Three patients died from the septicemia and the overall prognosis of the intensive care patients looks significatively worsened. The removing of the catheters and drains, the opening of an infected collection were useful but not sufficient to overcome. The choice of a good antibiotic was not easy; only ceftazidime, minocycline and cotrimoxazole have a fair activity in vitro. We only assessed the good results of ceftazidime. Pseudomonas cepacia is also resistant for many antiseptics. The large use of disinfecting procedures in intensive care units promotes the diffusion of this bacteria.