Urinary tract infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a minireview

J Infect Public Health. 2009;2(3):101-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2009.08.003. Epub 2009 Sep 19.

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a serious health problem affecting millions of people each year. Infections of the urinary tract are the second most common type of infection in the body. Catheterization of the urinary tract is the most common factor, which predisposes the host to these infections. Catheter-associated UTI (CAUTI) is responsible for 40% of nosocomial infections, making it the most common cause of nosocomial infection. CAUTI accounts for more than 1 million cases in hospitals and nursing homes annually and often involve uropathogens other than Escherichia coli. While the epidemiology and pathogenic mechanisms of uropathogenic Escherichia coli have been extensively studied, little is known about the pathogenesis of UTIs caused by other organisms like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Scanty available information regarding pathogenesis of UTIs caused by P. aeruginosa is an important bottleneck in developing effective preventive approaches. The aim of this review is to summarize some of the advances made in the field of P. aeruginosa induced UTIs and draws attention of the workers that more basic research at the level of pathogenesis is needed so that novel strategies can be designed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biofilms
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Iron / metabolism
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Pseudomonas Infections / immunology
  • Pseudomonas Infections / microbiology*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa* / pathogenicity
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa* / physiology
  • Quorum Sensing
  • Risk Factors
  • Urinary Catheterization / adverse effects
  • Urinary Tract / microbiology
  • Urinary Tract / physiopathology
  • Urinary Tract Infections / immunology
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology*
  • Uromodulin / metabolism
  • Virulence Factors / classification

Substances

  • Uromodulin
  • Virulence Factors
  • Iron