Genetic Relationship between Virulence Genes and arcDABC Operon Genes of Arginine Deaminase Pathway in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from Burn Patients

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa possesses a diverse of virulence genes located on chromosome, which cause infections in burn patients. It has the ability to grow under any condition of limited oxygen or its absence, because it possesses the arcDABC operon, which encodes enzymes of the arginine deaminase pathway, thus giving it ability to resist antibiotics. Objectives: The aim of our current research is knowing the relationship between the effect of the arcDABC genes of P. aeruginosa and virulence genes in causing infection and determine its antibiotic resistance and its genetic relationship with arcDABC genes of ADI pathway using qRT-PCR technique. Methodology: Twenty-five samples were obtained from patients attending and hospitalized at the Burns Hospital in Diwaniyah City / Iraq from the period January to June 2024, was isolated and identified P. aeruginosa by the standard bacteriological methods and by 16S rRNA diagnostic gene by PCR technique. The antibiotic sensitivity test was done by Kirby-Baures disc diffusion sensitivity test. Result: Fifteen bacterial isolates of P. aeruginosa were obtained at a rate of 60% and they possess 16S rRNA gene at a rate of 53.3%. The antibiotic resistance rate was (53.3% -73.3%). All isolates were sensitive to colistin. P. aeruginosa possess virulence genes at a rate (100%). Conclusion: Showed P. aeruginosa isolated from burn infections high resistance to antibiotics and sensitivity to colistin, which is an effective antibiotic. The gene expression was high in the pathogenic strains and there is a relationship between the virulence genes and arc of DABC genes.