Comparative analysis of the virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from clinical and environmental

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a very important bacteria for public health because it is present in the environment and clinical infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the virulence factors such as motility, protease and rhamnolipids in clinical and environmental P. aeruginosa isolates. Twenty-five clinical isolates and ten environmental isolates were analyzed by phenotypic assays and categorized into non-mobile, weakly, moderately and highly mobile strains; and producers of protease and rhamnolipids. The isolates were tested in triplicate on three different days. Environmental isolates produced virulence factors such as motility (Swimming and Twitching), and Ramnolipids significantly higher than clinical isolates. This study alerts us to the high level of pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa strains, mainly environmental strains. For a better understanding of motility and rhamnolipids, virulence factors that are directly associated with the biofilms formation, may favor studies that complement the research aimed at the control of pathogenic bacteria