Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an environmental bacterium commonly found in soil and water that can cause human infection [2]. Multidrug-resistant forms are difficult to treat because of resistance to many antibiotics [2]. The most common type causing infections among humans is Pseudomonas aeruginosa [2].
Disease overview
BacterialMultidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection
多重耐药铜绿假单胞菌感染
Evidence-backed informationEN 5/7 applicable sections · ZH 5/7 applicable sectionsUpdated Sep 3, 2026
Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa represents a clinically significant bacterial pathogen recognized as a global priority due to its extensive antibiotic resistance profile [1]. In the United States alone, this resistant strain was estimated to cause approximately 32,600 cases and 2,700 fatalities among hospitalized individuals in 2017 [2]. The organism typically causes severe infections within hospital environments, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality among vulnerable patient populations [2].
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Infections can affect the bloodstream, lungs, urinary tract, wounds, or surgical sites [2]. P. aeruginosa can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract, or other parts of the body after surgery [2].
Infections typically occur in healthcare settings where patients using ventilators or catheters and people with surgical wounds or burns are at elevated risk [2]. In 2017, MDR P. aeruginosa caused an estimated 32,600 infections among hospitalized patients and 2,700 estimated deaths in the United States [2].
Exposure can involve contaminated surfaces, equipment, soil or water, or contaminated hands [2]. Healthcare patients with devices, wounds, or burns are at elevated risk; contaminated equipment, surfaces, water, soil, or hands can be exposure routes [2].
Hand hygiene, core infection-prevention and control practices, environmental cleaning, and healthcare water-management measures reduce risk [2]. Hand hygiene, infection-control practices, environmental cleaning, and water management reduce risk [2].
- 1Macesic N et al. Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. Lancet. 2025 Jan 18. PMID: 39826970. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)02081-6.PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39826970/
- 2US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Pseudomonas aeruginosa | P. aeruginosa | CDC [Internet]. cited 3 Sept 2026.Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/pseudomonas-aeruginosa/about/index.html
- 3Bassetti M et al. New antibiotics for Gram-negative pneumonia. Eur Respir Rev. 2022 Dec 31. PMID: 36543346. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0119-2022.PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36543346/
Coverage
Reporting countries and regions
Trends by reporting country
Monthly patterns over time
Data access
Page dataset index with source links and update metadata.
Official sourcesAuthority, cadence, notes1
JP NIID Weekly
Japan
Japan weekly infectious disease surveillance via NIID/JIHS.