Molecular study of Enterobacter cloacae isolated from leukemia patients

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of 16S rRNA and virulence genes associated with Type Three Secretion System (TTSS) has been used as a rapid method for the identification of the pathogen Enterobacter cloacae in leukemia patients. Rapid diagnosis of this pathogen becomes necessary for starting a proper treatment in these patients. In the current study, we aimed to isolate Enterobacter cloacae from leukemia patients and study the TSSS genes associated with these isolates using molecular methods.   Materials and Methods: E. cloacae isolates identified using biochemical tests was molecular confirmed by                 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR).  Genomic DNA extracted was also subjected to the Type Three Secretion System (TTSS) associated virulence genes escV and ascV using specific primers.   Results: 30 (23.07%) out of the 130 blood samples tested in this study were identified as E. cloaca by biochemical tests. Further confirmation using molecular methods showed only 11 of these isolates to be 16S rRNA positive. Few of these isolates were positive for the TTSS associated ASCV gene of the samples positive for presence of the ascV gene. All strains were negative for the escV gene.   Conclusion: PCR is the best technique in comparison with other conventional methods for the diagnosis of                       E. cloacae in leukemia patients because of its safety, high sensitivity, specificity, and speed.