Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Fluorescence-based Method to Study Bacterial Gene Regulation in Infected Tissues
07:10

A Fluorescence-based Method to Study Bacterial Gene Regulation in Infected Tissues

Published on: February 19, 2019

Representative Targeted Molecular And Genomic Characterization Of Virulence Genes In Staphylococcus aureus From

Shaymaa H Al-Kubaisy1, Rawaa A Hussein2, Mushtak T S Al-Ouqaili3

  • 1Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Anbar.

Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|June 15, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains, is common in diabetic foot infections. Genomic analysis reveals significant antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes, emphasizing the need for ongoing surveillance.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) are a significant public health issue.
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major pathogen in DFIs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of virulence genes (cna, hlg) and antimicrobial resistance in S. aureus from DFIs.
  • To characterize genomic features of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) S. aureus isolates from DFIs.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 125 DFI patients.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (Kirby-Bauer, MIC).
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for virulence and resistance genes.
  • Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of representative MDR/XDR isolates.

Main Results:

  • S. aureus identified in 50% of positive cultures (45/90).
  • High prevalence of MRSA (77.78%) and MDR (80%) S. aureus isolates.
  • hlg gene detected in all isolates; cna gene in 28.89%.
  • WGS identified resistance genes (blaZ, tet(38), norA, vanT) and CRISPR-Cas elements.

Conclusions:

  • High prevalence of multidrug-resistant S. aureus in DFIs.
  • Genomic surveillance is crucial for understanding and managing resistant strains in DFIs.

Related Concept Videos

Diabetic Foot Ulcer01:31

Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Definition A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a chronic, non-healing wound that develops in individuals with diabetes. It typically occurs on pressure-bearing areas such as the heel, metatarsal heads, or hallux, and carries a high risk of infection and amputation.Pathophysiology • The development of DFUs can be explained by four interconnected mechanisms: neuropathy, ischemia, infection, and impaired wound healing. • Neuropathy is the most common factor. Sensory neuropathy reduces pain perception,...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Modern Molecular Taxonomy01:29

Modern Molecular Taxonomy

Advancements in molecular biology have revolutionized the identification and characterization of bacteria, with multiple methods leveraging DNA sequencing for enhanced precision. As sequencing technologies improve and costs decline, these approaches are increasingly used in clinical, environmental, and evolutionary studies.Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) examines several housekeeping genes, essential chromosomal genes encoding cellular functions, to distinguish strains. Approximately...
Automated Microbial Diagnostics01:24

Automated Microbial Diagnostics

Automated diagnostic analyzers have transformed clinical microbiology by providing rapid and reliable methods for pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Among these systems, the Vitek 2 is widely used because it automates the traditionally labor-intensive processes of microbial identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), delivering standardized and timely results that are essential for effective patient care.Microbial Identification with ID CardsThe...
Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence01:20

Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence

Pathogenic bacteria employ a variety of strategies to establish infections, including the secretion of extracellular enzymes that act as potent virulence factors. These enzymes facilitate bacterial colonization of host tissues and help evade immune surveillance. By targeting structural components of host tissues and interfering with immune mechanisms, these enzymes play a pivotal role in disease progression.Extracellular Enzymes Facilitating Tissue Invasion: Several bacterial pathogens secrete...