Molecular detection of SPA-type of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Urinary Tract Infection patient in Wasit Province, Iraq

Background: Staphylococcus aureus, a commonly occurring pathogen, is associated with severe diseases both in community and hospital settings and has been a significant concern for public health. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections have become widespread in many regions worldwide. Objective: The objective of their study was to employ polymerase chain reaction to identify certain virulence genes and determine the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of S. aureus strains. Materials and Methods: Initially, the identification of these isolates involved culture, microscopic examination, and biochemical tests. S. aureus accounted for 36.4% of the growth observed. Results: The findings of antibiotic susceptibility testing for MRSA S. aureus indicated the highest resistance rates to cefoxitin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, followed by clindamycin and tetracycline. On the other hand, S. aureus showed maximum sensitivity to gentamicin and nitrofurantoin. It was suggested that Imipenem and nitrofurantoin exhibited the least antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infection patients. The DNA was extracted from the isolates, and the purity of the nucleic acid samples ranged from 1.8 to 2.0, while the concentration varied from 50 to 360 mg/μL. Molecular analysis of the genes showed that 33.3% of the isolates possessed the icaD gene, whereas none of the MRSA strains exhibited the presence of the icaA gene. Conclusion: The study findings indicate a relatively high prevalence of MRSA strains among S. aureus isolates in hospitals located in Wasit Province. Moreover, a significant proportion of these MRSA strains exhibit robust biofilm production capabilities.