Pseudomonas stutzeri in the lung

Question

Dear ladies and gentlemen,
I have been diagnosed lately with a colonization of the lung with Pseudomonas stutzeri. The investigation had been done due to cough with yellowish/putride sputum, in the meantime lasting for 8 months. The physician is of the opinion however, that my symptoms have nothing to do with the colonization of this germ. What kind of damage can this germ do in my lungs and which treatment would be appropriate?
Best regards,

Answer

Hello,
the germ Pseudomonas stutzeri counts to the group of Pseudomonas bacteria, besides Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Pseudomonas denitrificans. Also kown are other Pseudomonas bacteria, as for example Pseudomonas flurescens with few other biological features as the above mentioned germs.
In case of CF, the Pseudomonas aeruginosa germ (PA) has a special meaning. It can be proven, that a chronic infection with PA can lead to a worsening in the course of the illness of CF. Therefore, always a trial of eradication (elimination of the germ) is done with respective therapeutical measures and in case of chronic occurence, in general a Pseudomonas aeruginosa-active long therm therapy is initiated.
The meaning of Pseudmonas stutzeri in CF is not as well investigated as the meaning of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In case of a symptom-free occurence of Pseudomonas stutzeri, an antibioitc therapy can be abandonned based on an individual decision. In case the patient shows symptoms, however, like it seems to be so in your case, then we recommend an antibiotic therapy like with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Hereby, it can be decided between an intravenous or an inhalative antibiotic therapy, if necessary accomplished by an oral antibiotic drug according to the antibiogram. Which antibiotics and in which form they should be administered can only be decided by the CF-physician in charge, as the patient is known personally as well as his results and course of illness.
In your case, we would therefore tend to an antibiotic therapy against the found Pseudomonas stutzeri.
We hope to have helped you with this answer and whish you a stable and good health.
With best regards and a merry Christmas and happy new year 2011,
Yours Dr. Christina Smaczny

07.02.2011