The virulence genes algL and algD in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated form skin burn and wound specimens of Iraqi patients

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an aggressive bacterium that may cause nosocomial infections among immunocompromised patients and those who are gravely ill. As a result of the persistent development of drug-resistant strains, they are now widely spread throughout the environment, particularly in healthcare facilities, and pose a significant risk to the well-being of human beings. This study aim to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for the resistance genes (algD and algL) among bacterial isolates from patients suffering from wound and burns. In this study, 150 swab samples were collected from patients at the Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq. The isolation and identification of bacteria were done using traditional laboratory methods, including culture and biochemical tests. The confirmatory diagnosis and antibiotic resistance profiling were done using the automated VITEK-2 compact system. These genes were detected using PCR after DNA extraction. During this study, the age of patients ranged from 24-47 years, and according to the sex distribution, the male count was higher than the female count. In addition, among 150 swab samples, only 20 samples were detected with P. aeruginosa. The frequencies of the algD and algL genes were positive in 75% and 65% of the bacterial isolates, respectively. And according to the distribution of genes concerning the site of infection, the algD gene was positive at 80% and 70% in burns and wounds, respectively, while the algL gene was positive in 80% and 50% of burns and wounds, respectively. When compared to other antibiotics, imipenem (50%), cefepime (50%), ceftazidine (50%), ticaracillin-clavulanic acid (50%), piperacillin (50%), and ticaracillin (50%) were linked to high antibiotic resistance. These antibiotics were also linked to the same percentage of resistant and sensitive bacterial isolates, followed by tobramycin (40%), gentamycin (40%), amikacin (40%), and meropenem (40%). In contrast, collistin (30%) and ciprofloxacin (20%) were associated with the lowest pattern of antibiotic resistance. In conclusion, these genes had a higher prevalence among bacterial isolates, indicating that these alginate-encoding genes may play an important role in the pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance of P. aeruginosa, which makes it more difficult to treat.