Work

Pseudomonas aeruginosa investigation in water samples of Campania region, Southern Italy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium that can be found in pipes, and that mainly affects immunocompromised patients. Methods From March to September 2023, 393 drinking water samples were collected and analysed from taps of 21 hospital and 26 non-hospital facilities of Campania region. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was conducted by broth microdilution method and the whole genome sequencing was carried out. Results The bacterium was detected in 47 samples (12.0%), 26 from hospitals and 21 from non-hospital facilities. All strains were resistant to first- and second-generation cephalosporin, ampicillin and ampicillin/sulbactam. Some strains were resistant to fourth-generation cephalosporin cefepime, and sixteen of the 47 isolates were multi drug resistant, ten from hospitals and six from non-hospital setting. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains were detected in 16 samples (34.0%). Thirteen (27,6 %) distinct sequence types (STs) have been highlighted in this study revealing a heterogeneous population. ST 309 was the most common observed genotype. It was observed the presence of the same clone in different wards of the same hospital. The presence of the same clone in different facilities indicates the P. aeruginosa diffusion in different pipelines. Conclusions This study revealed P. aeruginosa presence in hospital and non-hospital settings, highlighting the importance of conducting environmental monitoring, especially in locations hosting vulnerable people. Routinely performing this monitoring (and extending it to other microorganisms that threaten public health) is important to prevent infections in humans.

Source: American Journal of Infection Control

DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2025.09.007