Scientists map how Pseudomonas aeruginosa evolved to become epidemic because P. aeruginosa is responsible for over 500,000 deaths annually, with over 300,000 linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Those particularly susceptible include individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF), and non-CF bronchiectasis.
a recent study has discovered that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an environmental bacterium known for causing severe multidrug-resistant infections, especially in individuals with preexisting lung conditions, has evolved rapidly and spread worldwide over the past 200 years due to changes in human behavior.
| Date | July 4, 2024 |
| Source | University of Cambridge |
| Summary | Scientists map how Pseudomonas aeruginosa evolved to become epidemic because a recent study has discovered that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an environmental bacterium known for causing severe multidrug-resistant infections, especially in individuals with preexisting lung conditions, has evolved rapidly and spread worldwide over the past 200 years due to changes in human behavior. |
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How Pseudomonas aeruginosa Evolved to Become Epidemic:
- P. aeruginosa is responsible for over 500,000 deaths annually, with over 300,000 linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Those particularly susceptible include individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF), and non-CF bronchiectasis.
- The evolutionary journey of P. aeruginosa from an environmental organism to a specialized human pathogen was previously unclear. To explore this, an international research team led by scientists from the University of Cambridge analyzed DNA data from nearly 10,000 samples from infected individuals, animals, and various environments globally. Their findings are published in Science.
- By mapping the data, the researchers created phylogenetic trees, which are essentially ‘family trees’ that depict the relationships between the bacterial samples. Remarkably, they discovered that nearly 70% of infections are caused by just 21 genetic clones, or ‘branches’ of the family tree, which have rapidly evolved by acquiring new genes from neighboring bacteria and then spread globally over the past two centuries. This spread is likely due to increased population density, air pollution making lungs more vulnerable, and more opportunities for infection transmission.
- These epidemic clones have a preference for infecting specific types of patients, with some targeting CF patients and others non-CF individuals. The bacteria exploit a previously unknown immune defect in CF patients, allowing them to survive within macrophages. Macrophages are cells that ingest and break down invading organisms to prevent infection. However, in CF patients, a previously unknown flaw in the immune system allows P. aeruginosa to evade destruction after being ingested by macrophages.
- Once the bacteria infect the lungs, they evolve differently to become more specialized for particular lung environments. This results in certain clones being transmissible within CF patients and others within non-CF patients, but almost never between the two groups.
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From a clinical perspective, Pseudomonas aeruginosa evolved to become epidemic, this study has provided crucial information about Pseudomonas. The focus has often been on how easily this infection can spread among CF patients, but we have shown that it can also spread alarmingly easily among other patients. This has significant implications for infection control in hospitals, where it’s common for an infected individual to be in an open ward with someone who is very vulnerable.
FAQ:
1. What factors are responsible for global spread of P. aeruginosa?
The global spread of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has likely been driven by changes in human behavior, such as increased population density and urbanization, which have led to more opportunities for infections to spread and made lungs more susceptible to infection due to air pollution.
2. What are the safety measures?
The researchers recommend systematic, proactive screening of all at-risk patient groups to detect and prevent the emergence of more epidemic clones of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They also emphasize the importance of infection control measures in hospitals to protect vulnerable patients.