Study of Siderophore Genes Expression of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Wound Infections

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is one of the important types of nosocomial infections, especially burns and wounds, as well as resistance to antibiotics. Siderophores are one of the virulence factors which altering iron cellular homeostasis, controlling the production of virulence factors for certain bacteria, and encouraging bacterial dispersal, they can have a direct impact on the host immune system. The aim of the work was to detect siderophore genes in a carbapenems-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates from wound swab samples from patients with severe wound infections. Samples were collected at three hospitals in Baghdad between November 2023 and the end of February 2024. In addition to contrasting the impact of meropenem on siderophore genes (plcN and exoS), (gene expression) in the presence of antibiotic at ranges from (16-8) µg/ml. The results of gene expression revealed that the plcN gene exhibited the lowest value (0.8) and the greatest value (4.43) when treated with antibiotics; similarly, the exoS gene showed values ranging from the lowest value (2.37) to the highest value (4.25). It was concluded that there was a correlation between P. aeruginosa resistance to meropenem and the expression of siderophore genes, plcN and exoS.