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

Author(s)

Martins, Vinicius Vicente ^[1] ; Pitondo-Silva, Andre ^[1] ; de Melo Manco, Luisa ^[1] ; Falcao, Juliana Pfrimer ^[1] ; Freitas, Sueli dos Santos ^[2] ; da Silveira, Wanderley Dias ^[3] ; Stehling, Eliana Guedes ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[2] Agron Inst Campinas, Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Genet Evolut & Bioagents, Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: APMIS; v. 122, n. 2, p. 92-100, FEB 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 17

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. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/16657-3 - Comparative study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from several sources and investigation of antagonism with coliforms group bacteria.
• Grantee: Eliana Guedes Stehling
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants