Molecular identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from burn patients by polymerase chain reaction in central Odisha, India

Background: Burn wound infections pose significant challenges, leading to severe complications and increased mortality. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major pathogen in burn patients, known for biofilm formation and multidrug resistance. Rapid identification of bacterial pathogens is crucial for effective treatment and infection control. Traditional microbiological methods may lack speed and accuracy for timely interventions. Molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provide high specificity and sensitivity in detecting nosocomial infections. Polymicrobial infections complicate treatment, requiring comprehensive bacterial identification. The rise of antibiotic resistance necessitates surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship. Understanding bacterial prevalence and resistance profiles aids infection control. This study focuses on the molecular characterization of P. aeruginosa i n burn wound infections in Central Odisha. Findings will enhance diagnostic accuracy, infection management, and patient outcomes. Objective: This study aims to molecularly characterize bacterial species in burn wound infections in Central Odisha, focusing on P. aeruginosa and antibiotic resistance patterns. It evaluates the reliability of molecular PCR in confirming phenotypic identification and investigates polymicrobial infections. The findings will support better infection control and clinical management of burn patients. Materials and Methods: Burn wound samples ( n = 117) were collected from hospitalized patients, and bacterial isolates were identified using microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. Phenotypic identification of P. aeruginosa was confirmed through biochemical assays, and molecular PCR validated its presence. Polymicrobial infections were detected based on multiple bacterial species in a single sample. Quality control was ensured with the American Type Culture Collection strains, and the study followed ethical guidelines with institutional approval and patient consent. Results: There 129 isolates were identified out of 117 positive samples, and 61% of samples showed polymicrobial infections. Two Gram-positive and seven Gram-negative isolates were reported. The most widespread pathogen was P. aeruginosa (>20% of all isolates), while Aeromonas sobria (an opportunistic pathogen, meaning it can cause diseases in humans, animals, and aquatic species, particularly in immunocompromised individuals) ranked at the end (4.3%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (18.09%), Enterobacter spp. (16.31%), Acinetobacter bauminni (11.43%), Proteusvulgaris (10.07%), Escherichia coli (7.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.3%), and Staphylococcus lentus (5.0%). Although most isolates showed considerable resistance to imipenem, cephalothin, trimethoprim, and tobramycin, they were also often extremely resistant to these medicines. Wound burn infectivity is still a major concern for burn patients since many bacteria are developing varying degrees of antibiotic resistance. The molecular PCR test validated 97.56% of the phenotypic results for the detection of P. a eruginosa isolates, confirming its high reliability and accuracy. Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the significance of molecular techniques, such as PCR, in the clinical management of P . a eruginosa infections. PCR proved highly effective for the precise identification of P . a eruginosa , particularly in hospital settings. The findings underscore the clonal diversity of P. a eruginosa isolates in burn patients, who are particularly vulnerable to nosocomial infections. Consequently, stringent measures are essential to monitor and control endemic strains of P . a eruginosa , especially in burn care units, to reduce infection rates and enhance patient outcomes.