Molecular Study to Detect Some Virulence Factors in S.aureus Bacteria Isolated from Different Types of Eye Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunist that causes systemic infections and eye infections in the human being body. This organism increases its resistance to many categories of antibiotics and turns out to be more resistant. A total of one hundred fifty-four samples from different clinical cases had been collected from patients with conjunctivitis 63 (49.2 %). Blepharoconjunctivitis 29 (22.6 %), blepharitis 21 (16.4 %), dacryocystitis 8 (6.2 %). Moreover, 7 (5.4 %) with external eye infections attended Ibn-AL-Hythem Hospital and private clinics in Baghdad province during the period from 1st of September 2023 to 1st March 2024. The current study shows 63/154 (40.9 %) were S. aureus. These isolates were identified according to culture, microscopic examination, biochemical tests, and APIstaph system identification kits. The current study shows the highest percentage of S. aureus infections that was observed in conjunctivitis 23 (36 %) followed by 15 (24 %) with blepharoconjunctivitis. 8 (16 %) with blepharitis, 5 (13 %) with dacryocystitis, and 3 (5 %) with other external eye infections. The results showed 37/63 (58.73 %) of isolated S. aureus were VRSA strains. Regarding virulence factor the results showed Eta gene is present in all cases in percent 100 %, while other genes appear in different percentages: SeA (94.5 %), Seb (39.68 %), Sec (34.92 %), Sed (28.57 %), Tst (34.92 %), and Etb (17.46 %).