Comparative analysis of virulence factors produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from chronic wounds or bloodstream infections.

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important pathogen associated with both chronic wounds and bloodstream infections. Virulence factors required for the establishment of acute and chronic infections differ substantially. Since bacteremia can be a severe outcome of wound colonization, we performed a comparative analysis of virulence between P. aeruginosa strains isolated from the bloodstream and chronic wounds. Our results show that, in general, P. aeruginosa strains isolated from bloodstream infections are more virulent than strains that colonize chronic wounds.