McKendrick M W, Geddes A M
Q J Med. 1981 Summer;50(199):331-44.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunist pathogen of low invasiveness which can cause serious disease in patients with abnormal defence mechanisms against infection. Advances in medicine and surgery have resulted in an increase in such patients and Ps. aeruginosa has therefore assumed greater importance in hospital practice. During the years 1974-1980 Pseudomonas organisms were cultured from the blood of 69 patients at East Birmingham Hospital. The records of these patients have been reviewed with the intention of identifying those at risk and suggesting a rational approach to the management and prevention of pseudomonas infections. The importance of differentiating pseudomonas septicaemia from transient bacteraemia or contaminated blood cultures is stressed.
