Molecular Epidemiology of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infections

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen responsible for a wide range of healthcare-associated and community infections. Its remarkable genetic plasticity underpins the rapid emergence and global dissemination of multidrug-resistant and hypervirulent lineages. Molecular epidemiology integrates high-resolution typing methods, such as whole-genome sequencing and multilocus sequence typing, with phylogenetic and resistome analyses to track transmission networks, identify epidemic clones and uncover the genetic basis of antimicrobial resistance and virulence. High-risk clones, notably sequence types 175 and 235, have repeatedly caused hospital outbreaks and are enriched in carbapenemase and metallo-β-lactamase genes carried on mobile elements. Simultaneously, virulence determinants—including the type III secretion system, biofilm synthesis loci and exotoxins—shape clinical outcomes by influencing host–pathogen interactions. Surveillance efforts utilising real-time genomic data have mapped the spread of these lineages at regional, national and international scales, guiding infection control and informing the development of targeted anti-virulence strategies. The global significance of P. aeruginosa molecular epidemiology lies in its potential to anticipate emergent resistance patterns, refine therapeutic stewardship and limit the burden of severe nosocomial infections.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated that integrating pathogen genome data with clinical outcomes can yield prognostic biomarkers. A multicentre investigation of bloodstream infections across Europe and Australia employed whole-genome sequencing to define distinct virulence clusters associated with multidrug resistance phenotypes. Genes encoding biofilm synthesis and epidemic lineages ST175 and ST235 were linked to higher mortality, while markers of the type III secretion system correlated with septic shock. Machine-learning models incorporating these genomic biomarkers alongside patient data enhanced prediction of severe outcomes, highlighting the promise of genotype-guided management of P. aeruginosa sepsis.

Molecular Epidemiology of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infections publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in molecular epidemiology of pseudomonas aeruginosa infections across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS): Determination of the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome in a single analysis.
Multilocus sequence typing (MLST): Characterisation of microbial strains by sequencing internal fragments of multiple housekeeping genes to assign sequence types.
High-risk clone: A strain or lineage that is widely disseminated and consistently associated with multidrug resistance or enhanced virulence.
Type III secretion system (T3SS): A needle-like apparatus used by bacteria to translocate effector proteins into host cells, modulating host defences.
Integron: A genetic platform capable of capturing and expressing gene cassettes, often encoding antibiotic resistance, via site-specific recombination.

References

1. Extensively Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Outbreak Associated With Artificial Tears. Clinical Infectious Diseases (2024).
2. Genomic virulence markers are associated with severe outcomes in patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infection. Communications Medicine (2024).
3. The Versatile Mutational Resistome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Frontiers in Microbiology (2018).
4. Mobile Carbapenemase Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Frontiers in Microbiology (2021).