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Fast and specific detection of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa from other pseudomonas species by PCR
G Jami Al-Ahmadi1, R Zahmatkesh Roodsari1
1Department of Biology, Tonekabon Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran.
Abstract:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important life-threatening nosocomial pathogen that plays a prominent role in wound infections of burned patients. We designed this study to identify the isolates of P. aeruginosa recovered from burned patients at the genus and species level through primers targeting oprI and oprL genes, and analyzed their antimicrobial resistance pattern. Over a 2-month period, wound samples were taken from burned patients and plated on MacConkey agar. All suspected colonies were primarily screened for P. aeruginosa by a combination of phenotypic tests. Molecular identifications of colonies were done using specific primers for oprI and oprL genes. Bacterial isolates were recovered from burn wound infections. Based on phenotypical identification tests, 138 (34%) P. aeruginosa isolates were identified; whereas by molecular techniques, just 128 P. aeruginosa yielded amplicon of oprL gene using species-specific primers, verifying the identity of P. aeruginosa; the others yielded amplicon of oprI gene using genus-specific primers, confirming the identity of fluorescent pseudomonads. This study indicates that molecular detection of P. aeruginosa in burn patients employing the OprL gene target is a useful technique for the early and precise detection of P. aeruginosa. PCR detection should be carried out as well as phenotypic testing for the best aggressive antibiotic treatment of P. aeruginosa strains at an earlier stage. It also has significant benefits on clinical outcomes.
Insights
Molecular detection using the OprL gene accurately identifies Pseudomonas aeruginosa in burn wound infections. This PCR technique aids early diagnosis and effective antibiotic treatment, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a critical nosocomial pathogen frequently causing severe burn wound infections.
- Accurate and timely identification of P. aeruginosa is essential for effective patient management and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of molecular detection targeting oprI and oprL genes for identifying P. aeruginosa in burn patients.
- To analyze the antimicrobial resistance patterns of identified P. aeruginosa isolates.
Main Methods:
- Wound samples from burn patients were collected over two months.
- Initial screening involved phenotypic tests and MacConkey agar plating.
- Molecular identification utilized genus-specific (oprI) and species-specific (oprL) primers via PCR.
Main Results:
- Phenotypic tests identified 138 (34%) P. aeruginosa isolates.
- Molecular methods confirmed 128 P. aeruginosa using the oprL gene.
- The oprI gene confirmed fluorescent pseudomonads, differentiating them from P. aeruginosa.
Conclusions:
- Molecular detection of P. aeruginosa using the OprL gene is a precise and early diagnostic tool for burn patients.
- Integrating PCR with phenotypic testing facilitates earlier and more aggressive antibiotic treatment strategies.
- Early and accurate diagnosis significantly benefits clinical outcomes in burn wound infections.

