Pseudomonas aeruginosa (
PA) is a pathogen in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and burn wound infections. Few studies have investigated the role of
PA in electrocardiogram parameters (ECGs) with acute infection. We hypothesized that
PA induces adverse ECGs effects in mice. After inoculation with wild-type strain
PA14, the mucoid CF isolate
FRD1 (
mucA22+), which produces extensive alginate and has a natural mucoid phenotype, and the
PA14
algD
− strain that cannot produce alginate, were evaluated by computerized electrocardiographic. ECG conduction changes were present
in the P wave, the R-R interval and heart frequency in all
PA strains and the PR interval were significantly prolonged with
PA infection with
PA14 algD
− and
FRD1, compared to the control (
P < 0.05), indicating slowed atrial and atrial–ventricular conduction. We conclude that
PA produces bradycardia and demonstrated dramatic decreases in other ECGs associated with exposure to wild-type and mutant from
PA. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which
PA affects cardiac conduction remain uncertain.
Keywords
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
- Cystic fibrosis - ECG - Sepsis - Mice