Prevalence of Exfoliative Toxin Genes (eta and etb) in Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Tonsillitis, Wound, and Urinary Tract Infections in Iraq

This study investigated the prevalence of genes coded for exfoliative toxins ( eta and etb ) in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from Iraqi patients with tonsillitis, wound infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). A total of 65 S. aureus strains were analysed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of these genes. The results revealed that eta and etb genes were distributed similarly among the tested strains, with etb being slightly more prevalent (29% vs. 23%). Notably, the etb gene was particularly common in wound infections (65%). Co-occurrence of multiple toxin genes within a single strain was uncommon. These findings suggest distinct patterns of toxin gene distribution among different types of infections, implying potential associations between specific genes and particular disease states. These results contribute to our understanding of the epidemiology of S. aureus in Iraq and may inform the development of targeted prevention and treatment strategies. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the clinical significance of these toxin genes and their potential as therapeutic targets.