DOI: 10.4103/mjbl.mjbl_268_24 ISSN: 1812-156X

Molecular Detection of CRISPR/Cas Subtypes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Different Clinical Specimens in Babylon Province

Ali Kareem Ali, Lamees A. Abdul-Lateef
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Abstract

Background:

CRISPR systems, found in bacteria as well as archaea, are integral components of acquired immune mechanisms. They serve to confer resistance or immunity against various threats such as bacteriophages, integrative conjugative elements (ICEs), and plasmid transformation. These systems are crucial for bacterial and archaeal survival in hostile environments by enabling them to fend off invasive genetic elements and maintain genetic integrity.

Objectives:

Prevalence of the CRISPR/Cas system in P. aeruginosa isolates that enables bacteria to resist different antibiotics.

Materials and Methods:

In the present study, 15 (100%) out of 110 isolates were obtained from urine, ear, and wound in proportions of six (40%), five (33.3%), and four (26.7%), respectively, and also includes identification of bacteria by VITEK2 system and CHROMID P. aeruginosa and singleplex PCR techniques for detection of the CRISPR/Cas system during the period extending from Augest 2023 to November 2023.

Results:

In this study, 15 (100%) isolates of P. aeruginosa were obtained from various clinical sources. Specifically, six isolates were collected from urine samples, five isolates from ear samples, four isolates from wound samples, and 0 isolated from bacteremia. The detection of three systems (I-C, I-E, and I-F) was carried out using singleplex PCR techniques. The results revealed that CRISPR subtype I-C was detected in all 15 isolates, while subtype I-E was present in 13 isolates, and subtype I-F1 was also found in 13 isolates. This indicates a prevalence of these CRISPR subtypes within the sampled P. aeruginosa population.

Conclusion:

The presence of the CRISPR/ Cas subtype in urine was higher than that in wound and ears. The urine specimen presents all CRISPR/ Cas subtypes, while two isolates in wound samples and two isolates from burn samples do not have subtypes I-C and I-F of CRISPR/Cas. The presence of this system makes bacteria more virulent than those with the lack of it.

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