Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

What you'll learn

Course overview

Events in the world can often focus the spotlight on medical issues that normally are obscured from public attention. News item, January 24, 2009: Brazilian Miss World contestant Mariana Bridi da Costa dies A 20-YEAR-OLD model who was a finalist to represent Brazil in the Miss World contest has died after having her hands and feet amputated because she had contracted a severe urinary infection. Doctors had been forced to amputate her hands and feet after she developed septicaemia. Health officials said in a statement that Mariana Bridi's condition deteriorated overnight and she died early this morning. The Espirito Santo State Health Secretariat said in the statement she died from complications related to a generalized infection, Associated Press has reported. It was caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is known to be resistant to several kinds of antibiotics. Bridi had been in the hospital in the city of Serra in south-eastern Brazil since January 3. She became ill in December and doctors originally diagnosed her with kidney stones, local media said. Mariana Bridi da Costa had been in a hospital in Serra, in the south-eastern state of Espirito Santo, and on artificial respiration following the procedures, according to several newspapers. Her boyfriend, Thiago Simoes, told the G1 news website that Bridi fell ill on December 30, but was initially misdiagnosed with kidney stones. The infection quickly spread, causing her to go back to hospital for tests that revealed her condition. Surgeons had to act to remove her damaged hands and feet. Bridi was twice a finalist in the Brazilian stage of the Miss World pageant.