Diversity of biofilm-specific antimicrobial resistance genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa recovered from various clinical isolates

Aryan R. Ganjo; Fattma A. Ali; Safaa T. Aka; Bashdar M. Hussen; Sakar B. Smail

doi:10.18502/ijm.v15i6.14134

Aryan R. Ganjo Department of Clinical Analysis, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
Fattma A. Ali Department of Medical Analysis, Faculty of Applied Science, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
Safaa T. Aka Department of Clinical Analysis, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
Bashdar M. Hussen Department of Clinical Analysis, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
Sakar B. Smail Department of Microbiology, Par Hospital, Erbil, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v15i6.14134

Keywords: Biofilm; Drug resistance; Genetic variation; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Virulence factors

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to antibiotics offers a significant challenge in the treatment of patients. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profile, biofilm-specific antimicrobial resistance genes, and genetic diversity of P. aeruginosa recovered from clinical samples.

Materials and Methods: Totally 47 non-duplicate isolates of P. aeruginosa were recovered from various clinical samples. toxA, algD, ndvB, and tssC1 genes were detected in biofilm-producing isolates. The DNA sequences of the toxA and tssC1 genes were analyzed, by creating phylogenetic trees.

Results: The findings revealed that 30 (63.8%) of the isolates tested positive for Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), whereas 31 (65.9%) tested positive for Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) and all of the isolates presented the toxA genes, and 19.1%,17%, 6.3% presented by algD, ndvB and tssC1 genes. Besides, the phylogenetic trees of the toxA and tssC1 gene isolates suggested a genotype that was closely aligned with others. Gene sequencing similarity revealed 99% identity with other isolates deposited in GenBank.

Conclusion: The occurrence of toxA was most prevalent. One isolate was recorded as a novel isolate in the global gene bank as a locally isolated strain from the city of Erbil that has never been identified in global isolates due to genetic variation.