Detection of virulance genes in pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates by polymeraze chain reaction (PCR) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight, mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) of high risk clones

OBJECTİVE: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a nonfermentative Gram negative bacillus. Many virulence factors play a role in the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa. In this study, early detection of ST111, ST175, ST235, ST253, ST395, which are high- risk clones with increased epidemic potential with P.aeruginosa by MALDI-TOF MS method and It was aimed to investigate the genes involved in the production of virulence factors by PCR. MATERİALS AND METHODS: P. aeruginosa isolates (n:100) isolated from samples sent from various clinics to Ondokuz Mayıs University Hospital Medical Microbiology laboratory between 01.01.2021 and 07.06.2022 were used. Uniplex PCR for toxA; multiplex PCR was performed for the detection of algD, plcN, lasB, plcH. Investigation of peaks specific to high-risk clones was performed using MALDI-TOF MS method using Vitek-MS (Biomeriux, France). RESULTS: In the PCR results, ToxA 89%, LasB 99%, PlcH 98%, PlcN 100% and AlgD 100% were positive. When the presence of high-risk clones was evaluated with MALDI-TOF MS, the most frequently detected high-risk clone was ST111 (49%), followed by ST253 (7%) and ST175 (6%). ST235 and ST395 clones were not detected in our study. CONCLUSİON: Virulence factors were detected at high rates in both high-risk clones and other strains, and no significant relationship was found between high-risk clones and virulence factors. It is thought that further molecular studies are needed to evaluate this relationship. Early detection and appropriate antimicrobial therapy will help prevent the worldwide spread of high-risk clones. KEYWORDS: Virulance factors, High-risk clones, MALDI-TOF MS.