Incidence of the virulence genes and their relationship with antimicrobial resistance among the Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from different infections in Mosul city/ Iraq | ||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 14 October 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.402876.3012 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Vian O Morad* ; shakir ghazi ALmola | ||
| Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major infection-causing bacterium with multiple virulence factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance. The most critical is the Type III secretion system (T3SS), which facilitates bacterial invasion and poor clinical outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial sensitivity profile of P. aeruginosa isolates from various infections and detect the prevalence of T3SS genes (exoT, exoU, exoY, exoS), along with toxA, biofilm gene algD, and pyocyanin gene phzM. Methods: Thirty-six P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from different clinical samples collected from patients in Mosul hospitals, Iraq. Isolates were identified using standard bacteriological methods and tested for antibiotic susceptibility. PCR was used to detect virulence genes. Results: All 36 isolates were non-duplicate and collected from diverse samples. Sensitivity was highest to imipenem (86.2%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (77.7%), and meropenem (75%). Resistance was highest against tobramycin (83.3%), ceftazidime (75%), and ciprofloxacin (72.2%). MDR was found in 55.5% (20/36) of isolates. The toxA, algD, and phzM genes were present in 100% of isolates. exoU was found in 63.8%, exoS in 61.1%, exoT in 80.5%, and exoY in 58.3%. Notably, exoU, exoY, and exoS genes were significantly linked with higher antibiotic resistance. Conclusions: The study reveals high prevalence of T3SS (exo genes), toxA, algD, and phzM genes in clinical P. aeruginosa isolates and underscores a clear association between certain T3SS genes (exoU, exoY, exoS) and antimicrobial resistance. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa; virulence genes; antimicrobial resistance | ||
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