Molecular study of potentially pathogenic carbapenems resistance-pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from beauty salons in Dhi-Qar Governorate, Iraq
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5216/rpt.v55i2.84854Resumo
Pseudomonas aeruginosa represents a significant public health concern in beauty salon environments. This study aims to investigate P. aeruginosa prevalence in beauty salons across Dhi-Qar Governorate, and emphasis on virulence and antibiotic resistance determinants. One hundred eighty samples were collected from various sources in 36 beauty salons in five districts of Dhi-Qar Governorate. Bacterial isolation was performed using selective culture media, followed by biochemical identification and molecular testing, which was also done using PCR amplification by targeting the ecfX and oprL genes specific for P. aeruginosa. The presence of the exoA and exoS as virulence marker genes were investigated and the blaNDM-1 gene and blaVIM carbapenem resistance genes were examined as well. Seventy-two isolates (40.0%) exhibited P. aeruginosa growth, with highest rates observed in foot spa equipment (58.3%) and water basins (52.8%). PCR confirmation validated 68 of 72 isolates (94.4%) as P. aeruginosa. Both exoS and exoA virulence genes were detected in 54 isolates (79.4%), indicating widespread distribution of strains with enhanced pathogenic potential. The blaVIM carbapenem resistance gene was identified in 26 isolates (38.2%), with the highest prevalence in water-related sources. Notably, 22 isolates (32.4%) harbored virulence and antibiotic-resistance genes, representing highly concerning strains combining virulence and multidrug resistance. Salons with written hygiene protocols demonstrated significantly lower contamination rates compared to those with informal practices (30.0% vs. 42.9%, p= 0.042). Only 22.2% of salons maintained documented hygiene protocols, and 63.9% of staff had not received formal infection control training within the past two years. Beauty salons in Dhi-Qar Governorate harbor substantial levels of P. aeruginosa contamination, with a concerning prevalence of virulent and carbapenem-resistant strains.
KEY WORDS: Beauty salons, oprL, exoA, exoS, blaNDM-1and blaVIM
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