Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa harbours virulence and antibiotic resistance genes that contribute to life-threatening infections. In silico PCR amplification detected both virulence and antibiotic resistance genes of eighteen Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. L lipoprotein (oprL) gene was found in 72.22% of the isolates and is used usually to rapidly identify Pseudomonas aeruginosa species. Alkaline protease (apr) was detected in 66.67% of the isolates. Protein biosynthesis inhibited by exotoxin A (exoA), was found in 55.56% of the isolates. Fifty percent (n=9) of the isolates had the exoenzyme S (exoS) and elastase (lasB) genes. Thirteen isolates (72.22%) which harboured the phospholipid C (plcH) genes, were also found to be positive for rhamnolipid AB (rhlAB) genes. Thirteen isolates (72.22%) were found to possess alginate (algD) and neuraminidae (nan2) genes, respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA7 harboured both aph(3”) and aph(6)-1d genes. Only sulfonamide resistance gene, sul1 was present in 11.11% (n=2) of the isolates. Beta-lactamase gene, blaTEM was present in only one isolate and no tetracycline resistance gene was found. Fluoroquinolone resistance-determining region of the gyrA and parC genes were present in fourteen (77.78%) and thirteen (72.22%) isolates, respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCGM2.S1 is a multidrug resistant bacterium since it harboured class 1 integrase gene. In silico pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis was able to group eighteen isolates into three genotypes. Gene distribution pattern within genotypes was almost similar and not dependent on genotypes. The data generated here helps to predict virulence and antibiotic resistance profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosaspecies based on genotype.

Key words: Antibiotic resistance genes, Genotype, PCR, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, Virulence genes.