Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Not only Legionella: the threat of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water systems
What is it?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an almost ubiquitous bacterium. It is often found in natural aquatic environments, such as rivers or lakes, but it is also frequently present in artificial water systems, thanks to its ability to produce biofilm and colonise surfaces in contact with water. It is considered an opportunistic pathogen, causing infections in humans, especially in vulnerable individuals. According to The Lancet, it is the 5th organism responsible for infection-related deaths worldwide: a threat, therefore, not to be underestimated.
What is it?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an almost ubiquitous bacterium. It is often found in natural aquatic environments, such as rivers or lakes, but it is also frequently present in artificial water systems, thanks to its ability to produce biofilm and colonise surfaces in contact with water. It is considered an opportunistic pathogen, causing infections in humans, especially in vulnerable individuals. According to The Lancet, it is the 5th organism responsible for infection-related deaths worldwide: a threat, therefore, not to be underestimated.
Where is Pseudomonas aeruginosa found?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous bacterium, meaning it is present in numerous environments, both natural and artificial. It is frequently found in water, and its proliferation is favoured in artificial environments, such as water systems and distribution circuits of water and other aqueous solutions, where optimal conditions for biofilm formation are met, promoting its growth.
It is also commonly present in the human body (e.g., on the skin), but for vulnerable individuals, contact with contaminated water can pose a significant health risk. Therefore, the potential consequences of the presence of Pseudomonas in water are particularly critical in hospitals and other healthcare facilities that host more sensitive individuals.
Why are Pseudomonas aeruginosa contaminations in water often difficult to eliminate?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a biofilm-forming organism: its ability to produce and colonise this peculiar structure, which favours its proliferation, reduces its sensitivity to disinfectants dosed in the water. These disinfectants are unable to penetrate the biofilm and are stopped by the more superficial layers, not reaching the most critical areas where actively proliferating bacteria are located.
This microorganism, however, is susceptible to the action of monochloramine, due to the latter’s ability to penetrate the biofilm. Recently, a study conducted by the University of Catania demonstrated the efficacy of monochloramine produced with the SANIKILL protocol in inactivating Pseudomonas aeruginosa, even in the presence of biofilm, confirming numerous observations collected from field applications of the technology.
How to eliminate Pseudomonas aeruginosa from surfaces?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa can easily colonise wet surfaces (such as those in contact with water) due to its ability to generate biofilm, which allows bacterial cells to adhere efficiently to various types of materials, even if they are not very porous, and to create a microenvironment favourable to proliferation, ensuring the availability of nutrients and protection from the action of commonly used disinfectants.
In these cases, it is necessary to perform cleaning and disinfection operations: it is important to carry out an initial cleaning process that effectively removes the biofilm, thus ensuring the success of the subsequent disinfection process.
Zero.B is the solution developed by Sanipur specifically for this purpose, making it particularly suitable for the removal of Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination.
Why is the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in drinking water particularly dangerous in hospitals?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen, capable of causing severe (even fatal) infections in vulnerable individuals or those with health conditions that increase susceptibility to infections such as those caused by Pseudomonas. Therefore, its presence in drinking water represents a significant concern in hospitals and other facilities that house high-risk individuals.
Additionally, this microorganism is frequently a carrier of antibiotic resistance, further elevating the risk in healthcare settings.
Since Pseudomonas is not a parameter monitored by water utilities, it is important for hospitals to conduct targeted monitoring campaigns and implement corrective or preventive measures to minimise the risks associated with the presence of this pathogen in water. These measures must be suitable for the specific problem, ensuring effective disinfection even in the presence of biofilm.
In this regard, SANIKILL ensures proven efficacy in eradicating Pseudomonas contamination, as well as in preventing its occurrence.
