AEROMONAS BACTEREMIA IN BURN PATIENTS

Human aeromonas infection is uncommon and is usually associated with i mmunosuppression, chronic disease or trauma in an aquatic setting. Bur n injury may induce a state of immunosuppression, making the thermally injured patient a suitable host for aeromonas infection. We reviewed the experience of one burn centre with this pathogen. Retrospective ex amination of blood culture results from 8151 patients admitted between 1959 and 1994 disclosed eight patients with clinically relevant Aerom onas hydrophilia bacteraemia. Five were burned outside the USA. Aquati c exposure was known or suspected in only three cases. Five of the eig ht patients died.