When thinking about the risk of pathogens in water, we usually focus on Legionella, whose risk, although real, does not mean that there are not other equally dangerous or even more present in the water, as experts warn. of Aqua free, a German group specializing in water hygiene.
This is the case, for example, of Pseudomonas aeruginosawhose mortality in Spain in 2017 is estimated at more than 2,500 deceased patients. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections have emerged as a major infectious disease threat in recent decades as a result of significant mortality from pseudomonas pneumonia and bacteremia, and the evolving resistance that the pathogen exhibits to numerous antibacterial drugs.
This pathogen has predilection for aqueous environments, including swimming pools and bathtubs; and the abundance of bacterial flora in such environments further increases the potential for acquisition of resistance mechanisms through exchange. The pathogen can be crawl on various relevant hospital surfaces, including sinks, disinfectant solutions and soaps, irrigation fluids and nebulizers. Tap water samples are often positive for the pathogen in such settings and water can serve as a continuous source of infection.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections have emerged as a major infectious disease threat in recent decades.
Besides, Pseudomonas is not only flexible and adaptable, but also a very “intelligent”, as evidenced by the ways in which it expresses its virulence. pseudomonas attacks host only in optimal circumstancesthat is, when the chances of the microbe prevailing are high.
Demonstrated increased susceptibility to pseudomonas aeruginosa in the elderly
Improved care of the elderly has led to a further increase in life expectancy and an increase in the overall percentage of patients with underlying concomitant morbidities of various types. In most cases of human Pseudomonas infection, disruption or circumvention of physical barriers is a prerequisite, and dysfunctional immune system serves as a predisposing factor important.
It is readily recognized that the elderly, although not specifically recognized as a particular risk group, comprise most of the risk groups mentioned in the scientific literature. The advanced age has been linked to the deterioration of immune defenses and a greater existence of morbidity that can predispose to pseudomonas infectionssuch as diabetes, bronchiectasis, and obstructive pulmonary disease. In addition, the underlying morbidity in the elderly is often longstanding, which may have a maximal effect on the patient’s immune status.
Age has been consistently identified as a risk factor for the presence of pathogens with multiple drug resistance. The propensity of the elderly to polypharmacy, including multiple courses of antibacterials and the increasing percentage of the elderly with diabetes, may explain this. There is therefore a Demonstrated increased susceptibility to pseudomonas aeruginosa in the elderlywith a proven increased risk of developing adverse effects related to antibacterials.
Simple prevention measures applicable in nursing homes
Aqua free offers easily applicable antibacterial prevention solutions in nursing homes
Given the predilection of the pathogen for aqueous environments, there are easily applicable prevention measures in nursing homes.
On the one hand, an ideal reservoir for this type of pathogen is the residual water that remains stagnant in the siphons of the sinks. When the faucet in the sink is opened and the water hits against that water from the siphon, splashes They can reach more than 1 meter away. If the water contains pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosathose microdroplets can infect people that they are close In this case, it has developed an innovative system consisting of a that is placed in the sink drain and blocks this aerosolization and retrograde contamination, preventing contagion.
On the other hand, the risk of incoming water can be reduced by using terminal antibacterial filters in showers and sinks. The antibacterial filters of They are certified products that, thanks to their hollow fiber membrane with a 0.2um pore size, they retain all kinds of bacteria present in the water. Thanks to its use, we obtain sterile grade water according to the ASTM F838 standard, that is, safe water for the elderly.
These products are commonly used in other European countries, and to make them known in Spain, Aqua free has developed a free trial campaign for them. Those interested can get free sample products by clicking on the .