Occurrence and characterization of virulence and antimicrobial resistance factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from water samples from Western São Paulo

• Grant number: 20/08262-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal researcher: Lizziane Kretli Winkelströter Eller
• Grantee: Letícia Franco Gervasoni
• Home Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium considered to be an opportunistic pathological. Its versatile capacity favors its survival and permanence in different environments, including water supply systems. It stands out for its ability to form biofilms, for the broad arsenal of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and for the set of indicated and chemical virulence factors. The aim of this study is to detect P. aeruginosa and characterize virulence and antimicrobial resistance factors in water samples from municipalities in Western São Paulo. The samples will be collected by the technicians of the municipal surveillance of the 45 municipalities of the West Paulista, as well as will be analyzed physical-chemical analyzes of the water and detection of P. aeruginosa. Individuals will be phenotypically characterized by assessing susceptibility to antimicrobials, production of metal beta-lactamase, capacity of hydrolyzed beta-lactams and evaluation of biofilm training ability. In addition, genetic analysis will be carried out for the presence of genes for virulence factors and genes for resistance to antimicrobials. The oprD gene will also be detected and sequenced to assess possible mutations. The results will be analyzed statistically with a significance level of 0.05. It is expected that the detection of P. aeruginosa isolated from drinking water in the municipalities of Western São Paulo and the characterization of virulence and resistance to antimicrobial factors will contribute to the knowledge of the phenotype and genotypic profile of the microorganism and thus avoid the use of contaminants supply water.