Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an environmental organism found in soil and water that can infect humans, and multidrug-resistant forms show resistance to many antibiotics, complicating treatment [1]. MDR P. aeruginosa is a particularly hard-to-treat resistant variant able to invade bloodstream, lung, urinary, wound, or surgical sites [1].
Disease overview
BacterialMultidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection
多重耐药铜绿假单胞菌感染
Follow this disease Compare countries Evidence-backed information EN 5/7 applicable sections · ZH 5/7 applicable sections Updated Oct 23, 2026
Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a difficult-to-treat environmental bacterium capable of causing serious infections in humans and is recognized as a global priority pathogen [1][2]. In the United States, an estimated 32,600 infections and 2,700 deaths occurred among hospitalized patients in 2017 [1]. Healthcare-associated exposure and device use are central to its public-health impact [1].
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Infections may involve the bloodstream, lungs, urinary tract, wounds, or surgical sites after operative procedures [1]. The resistant phenotype limits routine therapeutic options and necessitates susceptibility-guided management [1][2].
The infection predominantly arises in healthcare environments, with elevated occurrence among patients using ventilators or catheters and those with surgical wounds or burns [1]. In 2017, MDR P. aeruginosa accounted for an estimated 32,600 infections and 2,700 deaths in hospitalized U.S. patients [1].
Exposure can occur through contaminated surfaces, medical equipment, soil, water, or the hands of personnel [1]. Within facilities, device-associated and wound or burn care pathways represent key routes of acquisition [1].
Hand hygiene together with core infection-prevention and control practices forms the foundation of risk reduction [1]. Environmental cleaning and healthcare water-management programs further limit contamination sources [1].
- 1 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Pseudomonas aeruginosa | P. aeruginosa | CDC [Internet]. cited 23 Oct 2026. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/pseudomonas-aeruginosa/about/index.html
- 2 Macesic 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/
- 3 Bassetti 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/
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