Title:Recent Findings Regarding Pathogenesis and Prevention of Ventilator- Associated Pneumonia
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Author(s): Michele Introna, Riccardo Pinciroli, Edward A. Bittner and Lorenzo Berra
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Biofilm, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, quorum sensing, type III secretion system, ventilator-associated pneumonia
(VAP), virulence factors.
Abstract: In this review we have summarized the known virulent factors of P. aeruginosa in the development of
ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). This gram negative rod bacterium colonizes through several pathogenic
mechanisms that can be summarized as follows: 1) cell surface virulence factors; 2) secreted virulence factors; 3) type
secretion system; 4) quorum sensing. Another additional aspect that is covered is the capacity of P. aeruginosa of
organized growth as a biofilm, which is a particular growth pattern in which bacteria gain high levels of antimicrobial
resistance. The development of new antimicrobial strategies may use this understanding of the bacterium behavior for
possible prevention, or eradication of the infective agent, in case of severe infections.
