Molecular study of the most important virulence factors in StaphylococcusP. aeruginosa isolated from people with blepharitis in the city of Mosul/Iraq | ||||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 06 September 2025 | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.410593.3078 | ||||
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| Author | ||||
Mohammed AlQatan Abdul Razaq Al-Qatan  
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| Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: External infection of eye constitute a crucial proportion of ocular infections, often resulting in visual impairment due to corneal involvement .The study aimed to isolate and identify the most common pathogenic bacteria from fifty blepharitis and keratitis patients and determine their antibiotic profile and some virulence genes. Method: The samples were obtained from the edges of the eyelids, the conjunctival area, and the surface of the cornea using sterile swab sticks and instantly streaked on mannitol salt agar, MacConkey agar, cetrimide agar and blood agar for culture and the isolated bacteria were characterized through different biochemical tests. Results: Fifty bacterial isolates were identified, with S. aureus 18 isolates (36%) and P. aeruginosa 9 isolates (18%) being the most prevalent. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed resistance to most antibiotics, with sensitivity only to meropenem and imipenem. Identification of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa was confirmed via PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using Clustal W in MEGA 11. Rare strains were registered in the NCBI database. PCR analysis showed virulence genes FnbA and clfA in all S. aureus isolates, while ETA1 and exoS were detected in all P. aeruginosa isolates. Conclusion: The study found S. aureus and P. aeruginosa as key pathogens in blepharitis and keratitis, with significant antibiotic resistance. This underscores the need for improved treatment strategies and responsible antibiotic use, while highlighting the importance of monitoring and researching alternative therapies to combat resistant strains and improve patient outcomes. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| S. aureus; P. aeruginosa; clfA; ETAI | ||||
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