Molecular Identification of Pseudomonas  aeruginosa and Analysis of phzA and phzM  Genes in Clinical Wound and Burn Isolates

Raed  Amer ali Alsahoo; Shayma  Munqith Al-Baker; Fadhl Ahmed Saeed Al-Gashaa Ahmed Saeed Al-Gashaa; Ahmed   Fadhl Ahmed

Raed Amer ali Alsahoo Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Iraq
Shayma Munqith Al-Baker Department of Biology, College of Education for Pure Science (Ibn Al-Haitham), University of Baghdad, Iraq
Fadhl Ahmed Saeed Al-Gashaa Ahmed Saeed Al-Gashaa Department of Biology, College of Science, Al-Farabi University; Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Baghdad University, Iraq
Ahmed Fadhl Ahmed Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, College of Health & Medical Technology, Al-Farabi University, Iraq

Keywords: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, phzM gene, phzA gene, Pyocyanin biosynthesis, Burn and wound infections

Abstract

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered to be one of the most virulent opportunistic pathogens involved in wound and burn infections, due to its arsenal of virulence factors and its capacity to establish itself within damaged tissues. Aim: The present study was designed to isolate and identify P. aeruginosa from cases of wound and burn infections and screen the confirmed isolates for the presence of phzA and phzM virulence genes. Methodology: A total of 48 clinical specimens were received from patients with wound and burn infections. All samples were subjected to standard bacteriological culture methods on appropriate media and then incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. After the incubation period, bacterial growth was detected in 38 samples, while 10 samples showed no bacterial growth. Of the positive cultures, 18 isolates were initially identified as Pseudomonas spp., while 20 belonged to other bacterial species. Confirmation of the presumptive Pseudomonas isolates at the molecular level was carried out by amplifying the 16S rRNA gene. Results: Ten isolates were Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Genomic DNA was then extracted from all confirmed isolates and used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to detect the phzA and phzM genes. Conclusion: From the molecular results, it was found that the phzA and phzM genes were detected in all ten confirmed P. aeruginosa isolates, showing a prevalence of 100%. These results showed a high distribution of this virulence-associated gene among the recovered isolates and indicate its potential role in the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa associated with wound and burn infections.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202663

How to cite this article:
Alsahoo R A A, Al-Baker S M, Al-Gashaa F A S, Ahmed A F. Department of Biology, College of
Education for Pure Science (Ibn Al-Haitham), University of Baghdad. J Commun Dis. 2026;58(3):138-142.

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