Effect of Isolation Source on Virulence Gene Expression, Phenotypic and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Clinical Isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

P. aeruginosa bacteria are one of the best known antibiotic resistant bacteria that cause fatal diseases in humans as a result of its high virulence. The presence of many variations in the virulence genes of multiple strains of these bacteria has led to a great variation in the gene expression of these strains. The present study aimed to study phenotypic and genetic variations in virulence factors and their relationship to antibiotic resistance and gene expression of these factors.55 isolates were collected from different pathological sources.Virulence factors were measured phenotypically and classified into medium, weak and strong isolates in production of virulence factors.Genetic and phenotypic variations were determined. The results of the study indicated that there were many mutations that had little effect on gene expression of virulence genes and the otitis media isolates were weak in the production of virulence gene and in the gene expression of biofilm, protease and pyocyanin production as well as antibiotic resistance. From this study, we can conclude that the isolation source may affect the virulence gene expression and antibiotic resistance.