Journal of Infection in Developing Countries最新文献

{"title":"Effect of lactate/albumin ratio on mortality in patients aged ≥ 65 years with community-acquired pneumonia.","authors":"Yaşar İncekara, Selda Aslan, Ahmet Şahin, Ali Çetinkaya","doi":"10.3855/jidc.21662","DOIUrl":"10.3855/jidc.21662","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. Early identification of high-risk individuals is crucial for improving outcomes. Biomarkers derived from routine laboratory tests, such as the lactate / albumin (L/A) ratio, may provide valuable prognostic information.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>This retrospective, two-center observational study included patients aged ≥ 65 years who were hospitalized with CAP between January 2021 and December 2024. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, clinical severity scores, and laboratory parameters obtained at hospital admission were analyzed. Laboratory-derived ratios, including L/A, C-reactive protein/albumin (CRP/A), procalcitonin/albumin (PCT/A), and lactate dehydrogenase/albumin (LDH/A), were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and logistic regression were performed to assess predictors of in-hospital mortality.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 150 patients were included, of whom 24% died during hospitalization. Non-survivors had significantly higher comorbidity burden, quick sepsis-related organ failure assessment (qSOFA) scores, lactate levels, and biomarker-based ratios. The L/A ratio was significantly associated with mortality (p < 0.001) and demonstrated moderate diagnostic performance (area under ROC, AUC = 0.263), with relatively favorable sensitivity and negative predictive value. Among the evaluated clinical scores, qSOFA showed the most balanced discriminatory performance. Multivariate analysis identified baseline oxygen saturation, Glasgow coma scale, albumin, and lactate levels as independent predictors of mortality.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The L/A ratio is a readily available biomarker associated with mortality in elderly patients with CAP. Although not a standalone predictor, it may serve as a complementary prognostic tool alongside established clinical severity scores, particularly during early patient assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"20 8","pages":"1241-1248"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pleural effusion caused by Rickettsia felis infection.","authors":"Hong Ren, Yingying Zhang, Xue Zhang, Hanwen Zhang, Li Chang, Lingyun Gao, Lin Li, Gaoyang Zhang","doi":"10.3855/jidc.21761","DOIUrl":"10.3855/jidc.21761","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Rickettsia felis, a Gram-negative obligate intracellular prokaryotic organism, causes human infections with atypical clinical presentations, commonly including fever, fatigue, headache, and maculopapular rash.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>This study presents a rare case of pleural effusion (PE) associated with R. felis infection, confirmed through targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS). The patient showed significant clinical improvement and resolution of PE following empirical moxifloxacin followed by pathogen-directed therapy with rifampicin and azithromycin, along with supportive measures for circulation and immune function.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This case report aims to enhance early diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for R. felis infections by sharing the diagnostic and management experience.</p>","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"20 8","pages":"1256-1259"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of a rapid isothermal amplification method for clinical detection of Vibrio cholerae.","authors":"Yan Shen, Si-Ming Lu, Hong-Liang Liu, Jia-Long Wang, Yang Li, Li-Guo Liang","doi":"10.3855/jidc.21672","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.21672","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The aim of this study was to develop a rapid isothermal amplification assay for Vibrio cholerae.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>Specific primers were designed following the guidelines of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database and based on the highly conserved sequence of the Vibrio cholerae virulence factor gene ctxA. A detection method was then developed using recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA). Sensitivity, specificity, clinical sample collection, and processing were calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A rapid isothermal amplification system was developed, showing a detection capability of one copy per microliter. Specificity analysis against a panel of control strains yielded no false-positive results under the tested conditions. The presence of V. cholerae was detected in 9 fecal samples collected from 20 patients who were hospitalized with suspected cholera infection.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This method can be an effective aid in the detection of bacteria in clinical samples.</p>","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"20 8","pages":"1235-1240"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"E. coli-synthesized selenium nanoparticles suppress phoP and bapA gene expression in S. enterica isolated from human blood.","authors":"Sarab M Kadhem, Nawal J Shanyoor, Zainab F Shubrem, Huda A Abd","doi":"10.3855/jidc.22789","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.22789","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella enterica, which is a chronic health problem in endemic areas due to multidrug resistance and biofilm development. The stress adaptation and virulence regulatory gene phoP and the biofilm-associated gene bapA may represent molecular targets for anti-virulence interventions. In this study, S. Typhi isolates from blood samples were characterized for their antimicrobial sensitivity and biofilm formation, and the molecular impact of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on phoP and bapA expression was assessed.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>Biochemical analyses and 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed on 92 blood samples identified 35 S. Typhi isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated by standard protocols. Biofilm-formation capacity was determined. SeNPs were obtained from E. coli by biological synthesis according to ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses; at concentrations of 12.5-100 µg/mL. Differences in gene expression were quantified by quantitative reverse transcription real-time PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All the isolates were resistant to ampicillin and ceftriaxone; susceptible to meropenem, ertapenem, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline; and had variable sensitivity to ciprofloxacin. The isolates induced strong (57.1%) and moderate (40%) biofilm formation. The production of phoP and bapA were significantly inhibited by SeNPs treatment in a concentration-dependent manner, with maximal inhibition at 100 µg/mL (p = 0.0001); and exhibited a significant positive correlation for both genes (R = 0.899).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Biosynthesized SeNPs effectively downregulate key virulence determinants in antibiotic-resistant S. Typhi, supporting their potential as adjunctive or alternative therapies capable of decelerating pathogenicity and biofilm-associated persistence.</p>","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"20 8","pages":"1133-1144"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence, microbiological patterns, and risk factors of hospital-acquired infections in a Tunisian university hospital.","authors":"Salma Balhi, Sameh Boughattas, Asma Ben Cheikh, Nihel Haddad, Héla Ghali, Sana Bhiri, Abdelhalim Trabelsi, Houyem Said","doi":"10.3855/jidc.22590","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.22590","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), identify associated risk factors, and describe the microbiological profile of HAIs in a university hospital (UH) in central Tunisia during 2025.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prevalence study was conducted at a UH in Sousse, central Tunisia. Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definitions, all infections occurring more than 48 hours after hospital admission were classified as HAIs and included in the study. Data collection included a one-day survey per department and a six-day prevalence assessment. Baseline characteristics, clinical features, isolated pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance profiles were recorded.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 255 eligible patients, 29 had at least one HAI, yielding a prevalence of 11.4%. Bloodstream infections and pneumonia were the most frequent HAIs (32.4% each). Gram-negative bacteria represented 67.4% of all isolates, with Klebsiella pneumonia and Acinetobacter baumannii being the most common (15.2% each). More than half of the isolates (59.4%) were multidrug resistant, including 53.8% of non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli resistant to carbapenems and 73.3% of Enterobacterales resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. Multivariate analysis showed that prolonged hospital stay (> 10 days) was identified as an independent risk factor for HAIs (AOR = 8.08, 95% CI: 2.54-25.67, p< 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings indicate a high prevalence of HAIs and MDR pathogens. Strict adherence to infection control measures, combined with the implementation of an antibiotic stewardship program at the regional and national levels, is crucial to reducing infections and limiting the emergence of resistant strains.</p>","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"20 8","pages":"1153-1160"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Characterization and Resistance Gene Co-occurrence in Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella peumoniae from a Bangkok Tertiary Hospital, Thailand.","authors":"Anek Pootong, Sidaporn Saiaut, Naipapron Dinmuang, Preyanuch Wangleotsakulchai","doi":"10.3855/jidc.22124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.22124","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is a significant global health concern due to its high morbidity and mortality rates and limited treatment options. We investigated the molecular characteristics and co-occurrence of resistance genes in CRKP isolates from a tertiary hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>Seventy-three non-repetitive CRKP isolates were collected from clinical specimens of hospitalized patients from August 2022 to January 2023. Identification was confirmed using standard microbiological tests and MALDI-TOF-MS. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the MicroScan system. PCR was employed to detect carbapenemase genes and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study revealed a high resistance rate among the CRKP isolates to cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolone, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Of the 73 CRKP isolates, 98.6% were susceptible to tigecycline, and 46.6% remained susceptible to ceftazidime-avibactam. Molecular analysis revealed that blaOXA-48-like (93.2%) and blaNDM-1 (43.8%) were the predominant carbapenemase genes. All isolates harbored the ESBL gene blaCTX-M-15. The co-occurrence of blaOXA-48-like and blaNDM-1 was observed in 39.7% of the isolates. Ward-specific analysis revealed the highest diversity and frequency of co-resistance gene profiles in isolates from the medical ward, while isolates from ICUs also exhibited complex gene combinations involving multiple ESBL and carbapenemase genes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study reveals a high prevalence of blaOXA-48-like and blaNDM-1 genes among CRKP isolates in a tertiary hospital in Bangkok. The diversity of resistance profiles and the clustering of complex gene combinations, particularly in medical and ICU wards, underscore the need for continuous molecular surveillance and stringent infection control measures to manage the spread of CRKP in healthcare setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"20 8","pages":"1207-1216"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A proposed management pathway for community-acquired Gram-negative sepsis in Chinese older adults.","authors":"Liling Jing, Weiwei Zhang, Yunlong Liu","doi":"10.3855/jidc.22560","DOIUrl":"10.3855/jidc.22560","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Sepsis epidemiology varies regionally. We aimed to characterise community-acquired sepsis in Chinese older adults and develop an evidence-based, cost-effective empirical therapeutic pathway tailored to local antimicrobial-resistance patterns.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This single-centre, retrospective observational cohort study conducted at a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China, enrolled 122 consecutive older adults (age ≥ 65 years) meeting Sepsis-3 criteria between June 2021 and May 2023. Microbiological data, antimicrobial-susceptibility profiles, clinical characteristics, and 28-day all-cause mortality were analysed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for mortality.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Gram-negative bacteria predominated (54.9%) and showed high susceptibility to cefoperazone-sulbactam (85.0%). The 28-day mortality rate was 37.7%. Multivariate analysis identified increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.10 per year), need for intensive care unit admission (aOR = 6.65), mechanical ventilation (aOR = 5.78), and dialysis (aOR = 3.62) as independent predictors of mortality. Notably, adequate empirical antimicrobial therapy was not an independent protective factor in the adjusted model. A cost-effective clinical pathway with cefoperazone-sulbactam as the first-line empirical therapy and escalation based on clinical response was developed for use in resource-limited settings.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings underscore the dominance of Gram-negative pathogens and the critical influence of host factors on survival among older adults with sepsis in China. They also provide a carbapenem-sparing, pragmatic, and sustainable management pathway for initial sepsis treatment in resource-limited settings, which can be replicated for antimicrobial stewardship in other regions with similar epidemiological profiles. The clinical effectiveness of this hypothesis-generating pathway requires validation in prospective, multicentre studies..</p>","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"20 8","pages":"1161-1170"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CRP-to-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of MRI-confirmed spondylodiscitis in RBT-positive patients with suspected brucellosis.","authors":"Mehmet Göl, Selda Aslan, Halim Bayram, Ahmet Şahin, İbrahim H Türkbeyler","doi":"10.3855/jidc.22768","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.22768","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection that is endemic in many regions, including Türkiye. Spondylodiscitis is one of its most significant complications. This study evaluated the association of hematologic parameters, particularly C-reactive protein (CRP) and the CRP-to-lymphocyte count (CRP/LC) ratio, with serological titers and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-confirmed spondylodiscitis, and explored their potential role as supportive markers for risk stratification and identifying patients who may benefit from further imaging.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed 1,568 patients with positive Rose Bengal test results between 2014 and 2022. Hematologic and serologic data were evaluated, and imaging findings [MRI/computed tomography (CT)] were reviewed for spondylodiscitis. Serum tube agglutination (STA) titers ≥ 1/160 were considered as indicative of acute infection. Statistical methods included correlation, multiple linear regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and non-parametric tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>STA titers ≥ 1/160 were more frequent in males (68.87%) than females (29.69%) (p < 0.001). CRP, LC, and CRP/LC ratio were significantly higher in patients with elevated STA titers and MRI-confirmed spondylodiscitis. Correlations between hematologic markers and STA titers were generally weak to modest. Multiple linear regression identified CRP and LC as independent predictors of STA titer. ROC analysis showed that CRP (AUC: 0.67; area under the curve) and CRP/LC ratio (AUC: 0.66) had the highest discriminative performance. MRI-confirmed spondylodiscitis was detected in 2.3% patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CRP and CRP/LC ratio appear to be useful supportive markers for identifying patients with high STA titers and MRI-confirmed spondylodiscitis and may help clinicians prioritize imaging studies in specific cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"20 8","pages":"1145-1152"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A nine-year surveillance of healthcare-associated infections in a pediatric Intensive Care Unit: epidemiology, pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance trends.","authors":"Eren Çağan, Şeyma Nur Karataş, Begüm Bodur, Abdullah Taşdelen, Nevin Kiliç","doi":"10.3855/jidc.22442","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.22442","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), particularly in the context of increasing antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of HAIs, causative microorganisms, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and temporal trends over a nine-year period in the PICU of a tertiary care hospital.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>HAI data obtained through active surveillance between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2024, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who developed HAIs during their PICU stay were included. Diagnoses were established according to the National Healthcare-Associated Infections Surveillance Network (UHESA) criteria adapted from CDC definitions. Microorganisms were identified using the automated VITEK® 2 system (bioMérieux), and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was interpreted according to EUCAST criteria. Data were evaluated by calendar year and in three-year intervals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No statistically significant change in HAI incidence was observed over the nine-year period (p = 0.56). Gram-negative bacteria were the most frequently isolated pathogens, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among Gram-positive organisms, Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci predominated, while Candida species were the most common fungal isolates. The mortality rate among patients with HAIs was 44.7%, markedly higher than the overall PICU mortality rate (1.72%). Resistance rates increased notably, especially for carbapenems and colistin, whereas resistance to linezolid and vancomycin remained limited.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>HAIs continue to represent a major clinical challenge in PICUs. Increasing resistance among Gram-negative pathogens highlights the urgent need for strengthened infection control strategies, continuous surveillance, and effective antimicrobial stewardship programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"20 8","pages":"1171-1178"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection of ExoS and Las B virulence genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from burn patients by PCR in Duhok, Iraq.","authors":"Siham Abdullah Mohammed Said","doi":"10.3855/jidc.22144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.22144","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of nosocomial infection in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. It exhibits innate resistance to a wide range of antibiotics and threatens global public health as a silent pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>From September 2024 to March 2025, 120 clinical specimens were collected from patients with infected burns of both genders and various ages at the Burn hospital in Duhok city, Iraq. The obtained Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were used for the molecular characterization of the virulence genes, the ExoS and Las B, by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 37.5% (45/120), with a significantly higher rate among females than males (45.7% vs 26%). Furthermore, the highest rate of infection (55%) was among ages of > 20-30 years, while the lowest rate, 12.5% was among ages of < 1-10, with a highly significant difference (p = 0.001). All of the examined isolates were 100% (22/22) positive for Exo S and 95.5% (21/22) for Las B genes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study underscores the high prevalence of these virulence genes among the Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from infected burns, indicating their clinical and epidemiological significance. Additionally, their phylogenetic relatedness highlights their pathogenic potential and role in the international dissemination of virulent lineages.</p>","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"20 8","pages":"1199-1206"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}