Alterations in electrocardiographic parameters induced by acute infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa wild-type and mucoid strains in mice

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 PA14algD^- 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.