Insight into quorum sensing genes LasR and RhlR, their related virulence factors and antibiotic resistance pattern in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from ocular Infections | ||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||
| Article 27, Volume 4, Issue 2, May 2023, Pages 575-589 PDF (990.48 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2023.197968.1480 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Esraa A. Mohamed* 1; Amin E. Nawar2; Eman E. Hegazy1 | ||
| 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt | ||
| 2Department of Ophthalmology, faculty of medicine, Tanta University, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause several ocular infections that are associated with adverse outcomes, owing to the production of different virulence factors that are regulated by quorum-sensing (QS) mechanisms. The current study aims to detect different QS dependent virulence factors, antibiotic resistance patterns in P. aeruginosa associated with ocular infections to correlate them with QS genes and to assess their impact on visual outcome. Methods: several ocular specimens were collectedfor isolation ofP. aeruginosa. Antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated. The presence of QS genes (rhlR and lasR) was identifiedby PCR. The isolates were assessed for their capability to produce virulence factors such as pyocyanin, protease, twitching motility, exopolysaccharides, and biofilm. Results: Out of 55 P. aeruginosa isolates, 38.2% were MDR, 29.1% were XDR, and 12.7% were PDR. The highest sensitivity was to meropenem 67.3% while the lowest sensitivity was to ceftazidime18.2%. The frequency of studied virulence factors, exopolysaccharides production, biofilm formation, twitching motility, protease, and pyocyanin production was 94.5%, 89.1%, 83.6%, 81.8%, and 78.2% respectively. Quorum-sensing genes lasR and rhlR were identified in 89% and 81.8% of the isolates respectively. The assessed virulence factors and antibiotic resistance pattern were significantly correlated with the presence of QS system. Conclusion: This study emphasized the importance of the QS system in regulating the formation of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance in P. aeruginosa. Consequently, anti-QS and anti-virulence therapy can be a promising substitute to antibiotic therapy currently available. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Key words: P. aeruginosa; Quorum sensing; virulence factors; Antibiotic resistance | ||
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