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06:34
Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS
Published on: July 11, 2016
Isolation, identification & characterization of Proteus penneri--a missed rare pathogen
1Department of Microbiology, Sanjay Gandhi Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India. janaksgpi@yahoo.co.in
The Indian Journal of Medical Research
|May 8, 2012
Summary
Accurate identification of indole-negative Proteus species, like Proteus penneri, is crucial. This study differentiated P. penneri from P. mirabilis, revealing drug-resistant and heterogeneous strains in clinical infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Clinical Infectious Diseases
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Indole-negative Proteus species are often misidentified as P. mirabilis, leading to missed P. penneri infections.
- P. penneri is an invasive pathogen causing significant infectious diseases, though rarely reported individually.
- This study focuses on the isolation and characterization of P. penneri from diverse clinical samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop accurate methods for differentiating P. penneri from P. mirabilis.
- To characterize the clinical isolates of P. penneri, including their resistance patterns and typing.
- To highlight the clinical significance of P. penneri as an opportunistic pathogen.
Main Methods:
- Culturing of clinical samples (urine, pus, body fluids) from intensive care and outpatient settings.
- Extended biochemical testing, including ornithine decarboxylase, salicin fermentation, citrate utilization, sucrose, and maltose fermentation.
- Antibiogram analysis, Dienes phenomenon for typing, and screening for beta-lactamase production.
Main Results:
- Eight P. penneri isolates were identified from urine, abdominal fluid, and diabetic foot ulcers.
- All isolates were associated with patients having underlying conditions, often post-operatively.
- Isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance (MDR), with resistance to 6-8 drugs, and heterogeneity was observed through Dienes phenomenon typing.
Conclusions:
- Additional biochemical tests effectively identified P. penneri, distinguishing it from P. mirabilis.
- P. penneri infections occurred in patients with underlying diseases.
- Identified P. penneri strains were multi-drug resistant and heterogeneous, necessitating careful clinical management.
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