Pathogenic potential and genetic diversity of environmental and clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of virulence genes among clinical and environmental isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and to establish their genetic relationships by Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR). A total of 60 P. aeruginosa isolates from environmental and clinical sources were studied. Of these, 20 bacterial isolates were from soil, 20 from water, and 20 from patients with cystic fibrosis. Analysis of ERIC-PCR demonstrated that the isolates of P. aeruginosa showed a considerable genetic variability, regardless of their habitat. Numerous virulence genes were detected in both clinical and environmental isolates, reinforcing the possible pathogenic potential of soil and water isolates. The results showed that the environmental P. aeruginosa has all the apparatus needed to cause disease in humans and animals.

Keywords: ERIC-PCR; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; environmental and hospital isolates; pathogenic potential; virulence genes.