Pseudomonas aeruginosa folliculitis after shower/bath exposure

Abstract

Based on our experience, we suggest that shower/bath exposure should be definitively included amongst the possible pathogenic events causing PF. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is responsible for a number of clinical pictures, e.g. otitis externa, conjunctivitis, toe web intertrigo, green nail syndrome, infection of burns and wounds, and folliculitis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa folliculitis (PF) has been reported to develop as a consequence of exposure to contaminated water in heated swimming pools, whirlpools, and hot-tubes, or related to diving suits and leg waxing.1-4 We observed 14 cases of PF after shower/bath exposure. This is probably an underestimated pathogenic event; to our knowledge, only one case has been reported to date.5 In our patients, the clinical expression of dermatitis was constant, PF being a clinically well recognizable skin condition.

Risk of transmission of imipenem-resistantPseudomonas aeruginosa through use of mobile bathing service

“…In long-term care facilities and nursing homes, hydrotherapy pools or whirlpool baths are associated with nosocomial outbreaks (8,24,25) particularly P. aeruginosa infection (6).…”

“…Because most clients are bedridden, a lack of obvious symptoms of infection could delay the diagnosis and initiation of treatment (26). Major symptoms of pseudomonas dermatitis are rash, nodule and inflammation (6,8,24,25,27,28). It is very difficult for the MBS staff to discriminate between incipient bed sores and pseudomonas dermatitis.…”

IndustrialPseudomonas folliculitis

“…First recognized in the 1970s, cases have been repeatedly associated with the use of contaminated whirlpools, hot tubs, and swimming pools [McCausland and Cox, 1975;Gibson et al, 1983;Silverman and Nieland, 1983;Fox and Hambrick, 1984;Ratnam et al, 1986;CDC, 2000;Green, 2000]. Cases have also been associated with showers or baths [Huminer et al, 1989;Zichichi et al, 2000], water slides [CDC, 1983], wet suits [Lacour et al, 1994], and contaminated sponges [Bottone and Perez, 1993;Frenkel, 1993]. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of an occupationally related outbreak of Pseudomonas folliculitis in an industrial setting.…”

Piperacillin and gentamicin suppress Pseudomonas aeruginosa pyoderma acuta complicated by diabetes mellitus

“…Pathogenic P. aeruginosa occur in pseudomonas folliculitis, toe-web infection, green nail syndrome among others. Most cases of pseudomonas folliculitis occur in outbreaks after the use of recreational water sources [2]. We now report a rare case of P. aeruginosa pyoderma acuta complicated by diabetes mellitus.…”