Does Pseudomonas aeruginosa cause pneumonia?
John Castro
Published Mar 05, 2026
Does Pseudomonas aeruginosa cause pneumonia?
Of the many different types of Pseudomonas, the one that most often causes infections in humans is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), or other parts of the body after surgery.
Is Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lungs serious?
aeruginosa infection leads to a deterioration of pulmonary function and ultimately respiratory failure and death 1, 7, 8. Although P. aeruginosa can be isolated intermittently in bronchiectasis, once it becomes a chronic infection it is rarely eradicated, despite intensive intravenous antibiotic therapy 1, 9.
What type of pneumonia does Pseudomonas cause?
Pseudomonas pneumonia, pulmonary infection with the gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is mostly a hospital-acquired pneumonia. Although not the most common, it is the deadliest form of nosocomial pulmonary infection, accounting for about 20% of cases in the intensive care unit (ICU).
What antibiotics treat Pseudomonas pneumonia?
Medication Summary Pseudomonas infection can be treated with a combination of an antipseudomonal beta-lactam (eg, penicillin or cephalosporin) and an aminoglycoside. Carbapenems (eg, imipenem, meropenem) with antipseudomonal quinolones may be used in conjunction with an aminoglycoside.
What is Pseudomonas in the lungs?
Pseudomonas is a type of bacteria that can cause lung infections. It mainly affects people who already have a lung condition or who have a problem with their immune system. It doesn’t respond to commonly-used antibiotics, which means infections can be hard to treat.
How do you get Pseudomonas in your lungs?
Pseudomonas is a major cause of lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis. The bacteria thrive in moist environments and equipment, such as humidifiers and catheters in hospital wards, and in kitchens, bathrooms, pools, hot tubs, and sinks.
How did I get pseudomonas in my lungs?
What are symptoms of Pseudomonas in the lungs?
Signs and Symptoms of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
- Fever and chills.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Chest pain.
- Tiredness.
- Cough, sometimes with yellow, green, or bloody mucus.
How do you diagnose Pseudomonas pneumonia?
How Is Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Diagnosed? To diagnose P. aeruginosa, your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask about your symptoms and medical history. Then they’ll send a sample of your blood or other bodily fluid to a lab to test for the bacteria.
Can pseudomonas in lungs be cured?
Pseudomonas can be difficult to treat, as it’s resistant to commonly-used antibiotics, like penicillin, doxycycline and erythromycin. You may need to take different antibiotics if you have Pseudomonas. Sometimes antibiotics are unable to clear Pseudomonas from the lungs.
Is pseudomonas pneumonia contagious?
Unlike Legionnaires’ disease, pseudomonas can spread from one person to another, so it is contagious in certain circumstances. Pseudomonas infections can spread through contaminated hands or surfaces and, in medical settings, through contaminated equipment.
What kills Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lungs?
Nebulised tobramycin and colistin and other antibiotics are widely used to treat P. aeruginosa lung infection in CF patients.