Open Access
Research (Published online: 19-10-2022)
8. Biofilms and efflux pump regulatory gene (mexR) in multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from migratory birds in Egypt
Esraa A. Elshafiee, Hanan S. Khalefa, Nayera M. Al-Atfeehy, Fatma Amer, Dalia A. Hamza, and Zeinab S. Ahmed
Veterinary World, 15(10): 2425-2431

Esraa A. Elshafiee: Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, P.O. Box 12211, Giza, Egypt.
Hanan S. Khalefa: Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, P.O. Box 12211, Giza, Egypt.
Nayera M. Al-Atfeehy: Bacteriology Unit, Reference Laboratory for Veterinary Quality Control on Poultry Production (RLQP), Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Nadi El-Seid St., P.O. Box 246, Dokki, Giza, 12618, Egypt.
Fatma Amer: Biotechnology Unit, Animal Health Research Institute, Animal Research Center, Nadi El-Seid St., P.O. Box 246, Dokki, Giza, 12618, Egypt.
Dalia A. Hamza: Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, P.O. Box 12211, Giza, Egypt.
Zeinab S. Ahmed: Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, P.O. Box 12211, Giza, Egypt.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.2425-2431

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Article history: Received: 23-05-2022, Accepted: 17-08-2022, Published online: 19-10-2022

Corresponding author: Dalia A. Hamza

E-mail: daliahamza@cu.edu.eg

Citation: Elshafiee EA, Khalefa HS, Al-Atfeehy NM, Amer F, Hamza DA, and Ahmed ZS (2022) Biofilms and efflux pump regulatory gene (mexR) in multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from migratory birds in Egypt, Veterinary World, 15(10): 2425–2431.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a global threat to public health. This study aimed to determine biofilms and efflux pump regulatory gene (mexR) in MDR P. aeruginosa isolates.

Materials and Methods: A total of 42 fecal samples of aquatic migratory birds collected during hunting season in Egypt were evaluated for the detection of P. aeruginosa according to standard culture-based methods. The antibiotic susceptibility of P. aeruginosa strains was evaluated using disk diffusion methods. The biofilm formation ability of the isolates was phenotypically determined using a colorimetric microtitration plate assay. Polymerase chain reaction amplification was performed to detect biofilm genes (PelA and PslA) and mexR.

Results: In total, 19 isolates (45.2%) were recovered from the 42 fecal samples of migratory birds. All isolates were identified as MDR P. aeruginosa, and 78.9% of the strains produced biofilms at different degrees. Molecular detection of biofilm extracellular polymeric substances revealed that PelA was the most predominant gene in the biofilm-producing isolates, followed by PslA. mexR was detected in 63.2% of MDR P. aeruginosa isolates, and its prevalence was higher in non–biofilm-producing strains (75%) than in biofilm-producing strains (60%).

Conclusion: Antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from migratory birds through various mechanisms is a major public and animal health problem. It is important to consider the significance of migratory birds in disease transmission.

Keywords: biofilm, Egypt, mexR, migratory birds, multidrug-resistant, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.