https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-156576

Quorum sensing and Genetic Lineages in the carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

authors:

avatar Maryam Shafigh 1 , avatar Abazar Pournajaf ORCID 2 , avatar Rabeeh Izadi Amoli 1 , * , avatar Yousef Yahyapour ORCID 2 , avatar Hami Kaboosi ORCID 1

Department of Microbiology, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran
Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology: Vol.17, issue 10; e156576
article type: Research Article
revised: November 12, 2024

how to cite: Shafigh M , Pournajaf A, Izadi Amoli R, Yahyapour Y, Kaboosi H. Quorum sensing and Genetic Lineages in the carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Jundishapur J Microbiol. 2024;17(10):e156576. https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-156576.

Abstract

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa has become a main concern around the world. Quorum sensing (QS) controls the expression of biofilm formation genes and virulence factors. ERIC-PCR is broadly used in epidemiological molecular studies.
Objectives: The purpose of the present study was determination of QS and genetic relatedness of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA). Methods: Generally, 57 non-duplicative CRPA isolates were collected. A microtiter plate assay was used for Biofilm formation. After DNA extraction, PCR reaction was performed for detection of resistance elements and QS- encoded genes. ERIC-PCR was done by specific primers.
Results: Biofilm formation assay showed that 10.5%, 19.3%, and 70.2% of isolates had weak, moderate, and strong biofilms, respectively. So, 75.4%, 64.9% and 12.3% and 8.7% were carried blaIMP, blaVIM, blaNDM and blaKPC, respectively. So, 73.7%, 7.0%, and 1.7% of CRPA carried blaOXA-48-like, blaOXA-23-like, and blaOXA-20/40-like, respectively. The prevalence of lasR, lasI, rhlI, rhlR, aprR, aprA and rhlAB genes were 100%, 96.5%, 92.9%, 89.5%, 84.2%, 73.6%, 63.2%, respectively. ERIC-PCR showed eight distinct clusters (A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H) using a similarity cut-off of ≥60%.
Conclusions: The findings indicate a high prevalence of strong biofilm formation and quorum-sensing genes among CRPA isolates. The study highlights the importance of biofilm production and genetic diversity in CRPA isolates, underscoring challenges in infection control and treatment strategies.