Molecular detection of virulence genes in Citrobacter Spp isolated from clinical and environmental sources in Hilla Province, Iraq | ||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 14 November 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.427666.3263 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Mohammed Abdallah Hussein* ; Azhar Omran Lateef Althahab; Shaimaa Jassim Alsultany | ||
| Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Babylon, Iraq. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Citrobacter spp. are opportunistic pathogens that are of growing clinical concern. Their pathogenicity is linked to virulence factors, which can be acquired through horizontal gene transfer; however, their prevalence in isolates from Iraq remains poorly characterized. Objectives: This study aimed to detect molecularly specific virulence genes (hylA, LT, STp, GK3-4) in Citrobacter spp. isolated from various sources in Hilla Province, Iraq, to assess their pathogenic potential. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using 150 samples (110 clinical and 40 environmental samples). Bacterial identification was performed using standard biochemical tests and the VITEK 2 system, yielding 15 confirmed Citrobacter isolates. Genomic DNA was extracted from confirmed Citrobacter isolates and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to detect the target virulence genes. Results: All 15 confirmed Citrobacter isolates tested positive for the 16S rRNA gene. The detection rates for virulence genes were as follows: STp (53.3%); GK3-4 (40%), LT (20%); and hylA (13.3%). Multiple isolates harbored more than one virulence gene. Conclusion: The high detection rate of enterotoxin genes (STp and LT) and the presence of hylA indicate significant pathogenic potential among Citrobacter isolates in the study region. These findings suggest horizontal gene transfer and underscore the emergence of Citrobacter as a multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogen, necessitating ongoing molecular surveillance for effective infection control. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Citrobacter; Virulence Factors; Enterotoxins; Opportunistic Infections; Iraq | ||
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