ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection and drug resistance in the elderly with respiratory tract infection, so as to provide a basis for the control of nosocomial infection and rational use of antibiotics. Methods The samples from elderly inpatients with respiratory tract infection were collected between March 2020 and March 2022. PA infection/colonization were investigated, and the drug resistance of pathogens was determined according to CLSI criteria (2019 version). Results There were 123 strains of PA isolated from the sputum and bronchoscopy lavage fluid of elderly patients with respiratory tract infection. The main departments with positive PA detection were respiratory department, ICU ward and neurology department. The difference of PA detection in different years was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The proportion of nosocomial infection in 2021 was lower than that in 2020 (44.44% vs 63.33%, c2=4.410, P=0.036). The resistance rate of 123 isolated PA strains to piperacillin was >90.00%, and they were resistant to ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cefepime, aztreonam and gentamicin to varying degrees. There was no significant difference in resistance rate of PA to antibiotics in different years (P>0.05). In the 123 strains of pathogens, there were 17 strains (13.82%) of carbapenem-resistant PA, and their resistance to common antibiotics was significantly higher than that of carbapenem-sensitive PA (P<0.05). Conclusion The main pathogen of nosocomial infection is PA, and the proportion of nosocomial infection shows a downward trend. The detection rate of carbapenem-resistant PA is high. In clinical treatment, targeted antibiotics can be applied.