Molecular Analysis of Virulence Genes HpmB and rsbA among proteus Species Isolated from Different Infectious Cases in Iraq

Proteus species (spp.) is considered one of the widely spread pathogens worldwide. Proteus spp. can be detected in contaminated water, soil, and manure, aiding the decomposition of organic substances from animals. Proteus is a gram-negative bacterium that causes a wide range of human illnesses. This study aimed to find some virulence genes in Proteus spp. from different sources, including the laboratories of government hospitals in Karbala, Al-Hussies, and Al-Muthanna, Iraq. Fifty swab samples were collected from patients’ wounds, ears, and sputum. Clinicians collected swab samples for identification. In total, ۱۷ sputum samples, ۱۳ ear samples, and ۲۰ wound samples were collected from ۲۷ (۵۴%) females and ۲۳ (۴۶%) males. The virulence genes hpmB and rsbA were identified after the genomic diagnosis of Proteus spp. Thirteen Proteus isolates were identified using the hpmB primer, and ۱۶ isolates were identified using the rsbA primer. The DNA sequence analysis of rsbA and hpmB genes revealed that all samples shared ۹۹.۵۲% identity for the rsbA gene, whereas the hpmB gene differed from one sample to the next. The sequence results are available at the NCBI under the accession numbers (LC۶۶۱۹۳۸) and (LC۶۶۱۹۳۹), respectively.

Keywords:

antimicrobial resistance , PCR , proteus species , Virulence gene