Phenotypic and genotypic detection of biofilm genes for<i> </i><i>Proteus, Morganella, Providencia</i> (PMP) bacterial group isolated from clinical samples of some hospitals in Mosul/Iraq

The three genera Proteus spp., Morganella spp., Providencia spp. (PMP) is a group of bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family that is predominantly implicated in nosocomial infections within hospital environments. The research aimed to ascertain the frequency of PMP in various clinical samples from some hospitals by isolation and confirming the identification of bacteria from biofilms using Viteck-2 and phenotypic and genotypic determinants of biofilm genes. Out of 380 isolates from different clinical sources that were identified phenotypically (microscopic examination, culture, and biochemical tests) confirmed identification of bacteria from biofilms using Viteck-2 and genotypic determinants of biofilm genes DNA were extracted from twenty identified strains, the PCR products derived were utilized for sequencing. The Congo Red Agar and Microplate methods employed encompassed qualitative and quantitative approaches to analyze the formation of biofilms. In this approach, bacteria that develop black colonies were assessed as positive for biofilm formation.Proteus mirabilis showed strong producers (19.8%), Providencia stuartii (100%), and Morganella morganii produced pink colonies. The strains were assessed as non-producers and analyzed quantitatively using the microplate technique. which shows strong biofilm production in most PMP groups. Genetic detection of biofilm genes showed that the mrpA gene was identified in P. mirabilis strains utilizing the PCR technique as positive for all strains at (100%) but M. morganii at (25%), positive amplification for all strains (100%) for the rsm gene in P. mirabilis strains. P. stuartii gave positive detection for the fim A gene by utilizing the PCR technique as (100%). All genes were involved in biofilm formation.