Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Los Angeles Times - February 17, 2009
Infectious disease experts are alarmed about a rise in drug resistance in a class of bacteria known as gram-negatives. The three most worrisome pathogens:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Found: Soil, water, plants and hot tubs
Can cause: Infections of the skin, soft tissue, bone, joints, and urinary and respiratory tracts
Who's most at risk: Hospitalized patients on ventilators; people with cystic fibrosis or HIV
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Found: In human intestinal flora
Can cause: Urinary tract and abdominal infections; pneumonia
Who's most at risk: Hospitalized patients and people with diabetes, chronic lung disease or alcoholism
Acinetobacter baumannii
Found: Soil, water, on skin of healthy people
Can cause: Lung, wound and bloodstream infections
Who's most at risk: Hospitalized patients and people with burns or open wounds
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Infectious Diseases Society of America
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