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What are pseudomonas: everything you need to know
Pseudomonas are germs that recurrently cause a stir.
The reason behind this is that hospital patients become infected with the germs, which are highly resistant to antibiotics. However, pseudomonas are not only present in hospitals: they can also be found in tap water, soil and bodies of water and can cause diseases.
In the following article we explain how pseudomonas affect our health and what you should look out for to guarantee the quality of your tap water.
What are pseudomonas?
Pseudomonas are rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, Gram-negative bacteria with polar flagellae (filamentous structures used for movement).
The best-known member of the genus is the Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium was discovered in 1900 and its high resistance to antibiotics makes it one of the most dangerous hospital-associated pathogens.
The bacteria can be found everywhere and often live on dead organic material. They adapt very well to their environment and need few nutrients to survive. They are located in soils and water, on plants and animals and in other habitats.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a germ that is also dangerous for humans
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen responsible for many human infections and the longest-known and most important pseudomonas species present in human medicine. The symptoms of a pseudomonas infection depend on the location on the body.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa in drinking water does not generally pose a major risk for healthy people. However, for people with a weakened immune system, the germs can cause pneumonia or blood poisoning. The bacteria are also associated with diseases such as urinary tract infections, middle-ear infections, wounds and heart valve infections. The pathogen is responsible for around 10% of all nosocomial infections worldwide.1 It is estimated that nosocomial infections with antibiotic-resistant pathogens cause more than 35,000 deaths per year in Europe.2
Transmission of the bacteria
The bacteria prefer damp areas such as water pipes, sinks, toilets, insufficiently chlorinated swimming pools and outdated or inactivated disinfectant solutions. Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be transmitted in drinking water or through the use of medical devices such as catheters or ventilators. Implants present an additional risk because a biofilm containing bacteria can form on their surface. In hospitals, the pathogen can also be transmitted by the nursing staff.
🦠 People with weakened immune systems due to other pre-existing conditions are at a particularly high risk of becoming infected with pseudomonas.
Are pseudomonas in tap water dangerous?
Pseudomonas in drinking water do not generally pose a risk to healthy people. However, people with poor health or undergoing medical treatment are exposed to a greater health risk.
It is thus essential to ensure water quality in hospitals, doctor’s and dentist’s offices and at home. This includes guaranteeing that the tap water is free from pathogens.
🚰 Our disposable and reusable sterile filters help to ensure safe medical areas.
Detecting pseudomonas
If you believe that pseudomonas are present in your tap water in too high a concentration, the first step is to analyse the water to obtain more precise information. Since the bacteria can be found not only in the taps, but also in the entire building installation, only a professional water analysis can determine whether there is pseudomonas contamination.
Appropriate measures must be taken if Pseudomonas aeruginosa is detected. These include rinsing, replacing materials and disinfection procedures. These measures can be taken individually or collectively.
Preventing pseudomonas
Prevention is the best measure against unwanted bacteria or germs in tap water. This includes, for example, preventing the formation of stagnant water by regularly flushing the entire drinking water system. However, it is important to note that letting the water run for a few minutes is not enough.
Inadequate pipework also promotes the proliferation of germs.
🌡 Temperatures above 60 ºC have a disinfectant effect. However, pseudomonas begin to multiply above 25 degrees.
Containing the transmission
Various studies show that the number of hospital-acquired infections has dropped in recent years. This is due to improved hygiene measures in hospitals.3 The role of water from domestic plumbing systems as a source of infection is also now well understood and documented. Testing the water in domestic installations for specific pathogens every six months has now become an essential control measure. Additionally, consistently adhering to hygiene plans, including chemical or thermal disinfection measures, also contributes to the containment of waterborne pathogens. Using point-of-use or inline sterile water filters is an effective prevention strategy which can reduce the rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in hospitals.
Pseudomonas are particularly dangerous because of their high resistance to antibiotics. For this reason, the consistent implementation of hygiene measures is crucial.
1 www.intechopen.com/chapters/75039
2 health.ec.europa.eu/antimicrobial-resistance/eu-action-antimicrobial-resistance_en