Pseudomonas aeruginosa LVAD Driveline Infection Acquired from the Bathroom at Home

IntroductionDriveline infections in patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) are feared due to significant morbidity and mortality. There might be great potential preventive measures at home.Case ReportA 54-year old patient showed deep LVAD (HeartMate III) driveline infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa shortly after his first shower home. Despite 6 weeks of antibiotics (piperacillin/tazobactam, followed ceftazidime ciprofloxacin), surgical intervention was needed ongoing inflammation.To find the source infection, culture swabs were taken from patient's home bathroom (Figure 1). P. found drain, wall-mounted jet (B) non-slip mat (D). Typing Multiple Locus Variable-Numbers Tandem Repeat Analysis detect genetic congruence, revealed all strains highly similar exit site aeruginosa.P. thrives moist environments. Contaminated drains sinks known cause nosocomial infections. Our probably infected upward transmission as both drain tested positive. The wall mounted positive, but not used. Airborne investigated. Preventing is important reduce hospital re-admissions, repeated surgery costs. We suggest instructions prevent (Table 1) increase awareness on risks These also protective for other water-borne pathogens.SummaryConsider Driveline A inflammation. To aeruginosa. pathogens. Consider View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)