Presence of quorum sensing system, virulence genes, biofilm formation and relationship among them and class 1 integron in carbapenem-resistant clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates


Baskan C., Sırıken B., Tufekci E. F., Kilinc C., ERTÜRK Ö., Erol I.

ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY, vol.204, no.8, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 204 Issue: 8
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00203-022-03061-y
  • Journal Name: ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, Environment Index, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Keywords: Biofilm, Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Class 1 integron, QS system, Virulence genes, ELASTASE LASB, MECHANISMS, IDENTIFICATION, PATHOGENICITY, ASSOCIATION, INTERFERON, STRAINS, SAMPLES, LECTIN, GAMMA
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Carbapenems are the most effective agents for treating clinical P. aeruginosa (PsA) infections. During an infection, a quorum-sensing (QS) system and its regulating virulence genes have a great role. The aim of the study was to detect the presence of a las and rhl QS system and related virulence genes, biofilm formation and a class 1 (Cls1) integron. A total of 52 carbapenem-resistant PsA (CRPsA) isolates obtained from Kastamonu, Turkey was analyzed. For the isolation and identification of CRPsA isolates, a conventional culture method, an automated VITEK-2 compact system, and oprL gene-based molecular technique were applied. The two QS system genes were detected in 51 (98.1%), and co-existed of four two QS system genes (lasI/R and rhIl/R genes) were determined in 41 (78.8%) of the isolates. algD, lasB, toxA and aprA genes were detected in between 46.1 and 88.5%, and co-existence of four two QS system genes with four virulence genes were detected in 40.4% of the isolates. Biofilm formation using microtiter plate assay and slime production using Congo Red Agar and Cls1 integron were determined in 84.6%, 67.3% and 51.9% of the isolates, respectively. According to statistical analyses results, there was a significant positive correlation (p < .10) between the las and the rhl systems and a strongly and positive correlation (p < .01 or p < .05) between the rhl system-three virulence genes and slime production-and among some virulence genes. In conclusion, the CRPsA isolates tested in the study are highly virulent and QS systems have a significant role in pathogenesis.