Prevalence of Exfoliative Toxin Genes (eta and etb) in Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Tonsillitis, Wound, and Urinary Tract Infections in Iraq
Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence of genes coded for exfoliative toxins (eta and etb) in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from Iraqi patients with tonsillitis, wound infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). A total of 65 S. aureus strains were analysed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of these genes.
The results revealed that eta and etb genes were distributed similarly among the tested strains, with etb being slightly more prevalent (29% vs. 23%). Notably, the etb gene was particularly common in wound infections (65%). Co-occurrence of multiple toxin genes within a single strain was uncommon.
These findings suggest distinct patterns of toxin gene distribution among different types of infections, implying potential associations between specific genes and particular disease states. These results contribute to our understanding of the epidemiology of S. aureus in Iraq and may inform the development of targeted prevention and treatment strategies. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the clinical significance of these toxin genes and their potential as therapeutic targets.
Full text article
References
Stoneham S, Peters J, Price J: Staphylococcal and streptococcal infections. Med (United Kingdom). 2021, 49:731–8. 10.1016/j.mpmed.2021.09.001
Mohseni M, Rafiei F, Ghaemi EA: High frequency of exfoliative toxin genes among staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical specimens in the north of Iran: Alarm for the health of individuals under risk. Iran J Microbiol. 2018, 10:158–65.
Kot B, Piechota M, Jakubczak A, et al.: The prevalence of virulence determinants in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from different infections in hospitalized patients in Poland. Sci Rep. 2022, 12:5477. 10.1038/s41598-022-09517-x
Amagai M, Yamaguchi T, Hanakawa Y, Nishifuji K, Sugai M, Stanley JR: Staphylococcal exfoliative toxin B specifically cleaves desmoglein 1. J Invest Dermatol. 2002, 118:845–50. 10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.01751.x
Medugu N, Imran J, Musa-Booth TO, Makun B, Adegboro B: A review of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. African J Clin Exp Microbiol. 2023, 24:235–42. 10.4314/ajcem.v24i3.2
Koosha RZ, Fooladi AAI, Hosseini HM, Aghdam EM: Prevalence of exfoliative toxin A and B genes in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical specimens. J Infect Public Health. 2014, 7:177–85. 10.1016/j.jiph.2013.11.003
Pal M, Berhanu G, Kandi V, Kerorsa GB, Marami LM: Epidemiology, Pathogenicity, Animal Infections, Antibiotic Resistance, Public Health Significance, and Economic Impact of Staphylococcus Aureus: A Comprehensive Review. Am J Public Heal Res. 2020, 8:14–21. 10.12691/ajphr-8-1-3
Messias ACMC, Gama AR, de Almeida Prado LS, et al.: Detection of Oxacillin/Cefoxitin Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus Present in Recurrent Tonsillitis. Microorganisms. 2023, 11:615. 10.3390/microorganisms11030615
Sandy-Hodgetts K, Alves P, Conway B, et al.: Optimising Prevention of Surgical Wound Complications : Detection , Diagnosis , Surveillance and Prediction International Consensus Document 2022. Int Best Pract Recomm Early Identif Prev Surg wound comlications. 2022.
Mitiku A, Aklilu A, Biresaw G, Gize A: Prevalence and associated factors of methicillin resistance staphylococcus aureus (Mrsa) among urinary tract infection suspected patients attending at arba minch general hospital, southern ethiopia. Infect Drug Resist. 2021, 14:2133–42. 10.2147/IDR.S306648
Aung MS, Urushibara N, Kawaguchiya M, Sumi A, Shinagawa M, Takahashi S, Kobayashi N: Clonal diversity and genetic characteristics of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus isolates from a tertiary care hospital in Japan. Microb Drug Resist. 2019, 25:1164–75. 10.1089/mdr.2018.0468
Cuny C, Layer F, Strommenger B, Witte W: Rare occurrence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus CC130 with a novel mecA homologue in humans in Germany. PLoS One. 2011, 6:e24360. 10.1371/journal.pone.0024360
Kateete DP, Kimani CN, Katabazi FA, et al.: Identification of Staphylococcus aureus: DNase and Mannitol salt agar improve the efficiency of the tube coagulase test. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2010, 9:1–7. 10.1186/1476-0711-9-23
Bukowski M, Wladyka B, Dubin G: Exfoliative toxins of Staphylococcus aureus. Toxins (Basel). 2010, 2:1148–65. 10.3390/toxins2051148
Authors

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.