Molecular detection of ExoU and ExoS virulence genes among clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa recovered from patients attending a private tertiary hospital in southwestern Nigeria

Okuneye, Ayomide Oluwatobiloba; Enitan, Seyi Samson; Kemiki, Olalekan Ademola; Igwe, Abigail Chinyere; Mensah-Agyei, Grace Oluwatoyin; Effiong, Effiong Joseph; Adeniyi, Akinbobola Ayokunle; Onyeji, Chisom Blossom; Kolawole, Mofeoluwa Favour; Adamson, Precious Oluwatosin

doi:10.21608/mid.2024.311638.2155

	Molecular detection of ExoU and ExoS virulence genes among clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa recovered from patients attending a private tertiary hospital in southwestern Nigeria
Microbes and Infectious Diseases
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 02 November 2024
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/mid.2024.311638.2155
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Authors
Ayomide Oluwatobiloba Okuneye ¹; Seyi Samson Enitan ²; Olalekan Ademola Kemiki³; Abigail Chinyere Igwe ⁴; Grace Oluwatoyin Mensah-Agyei ⁵; Effiong Joseph Effiong ⁶; Akinbobola Ayokunle Adeniyi ⁷; Chisom Blossom Onyeji ⁸; Mofeoluwa Favour Kolawole ⁶; Precious Oluwatosin Adamson ⁶
¹Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Public and Allied Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun
²Department Of Medical Laboratory Science, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun
³Molecular and Tissue Culture Laboratory, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
⁴Molecular and Tissue Culture Laboratory, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.
⁵Department of Microbiology, School of Science and Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.
⁶Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Public and Allied Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
⁷Department of Medical Microbiology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
⁸Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Public and Allied Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Abstract
Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a notorious opportunistic pathogen associated with severe nosocomial infections. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and distribution of ExoU and ExoS virulence genes among clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa in patients attending a private tertiary hospital in southwestern Nigeria. Methods: A total of fifty (50) non-duplicate clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa recovered from various clinical specimens were analyzed using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of ExoU and ExoS virulence genes. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS – Version 22.0. P-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Among the 50 samples examined, 47 (94%) showed detectable presence of ExoU and/or ExoS genes, while only 3 (6%) showed no detectable presence. The number of samples with detectable ExoU and/or ExoS genes was significantly higher (P=0.01, χ² = 45.92) than those without detectable ExoU and/or ExoS genes highlighting the widespread occurrence of these virulence factors. The ExoU gene was detected in 36 (72%) isolates, while the ExoS gene was detected in 40 (80%) isolates. The difference was not statistically significant (P=0.170, χ² = 2.313). There is a statistically significant association (P=0.01, χ² = 61.985) between gene presence and sample type. ExoU and ExoS genes were predominantly associated with ear swabs. Conclusion: This study contributes to our understanding of molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa in southwestern Nigeria and underscores the importance of considering infection site when assessing virulence gene prevalence. Further research is warranted to validate and expand upon these findings.
Keywords
Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Virulence genes; ExoU; ExoS; Southwestern Nigeria


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