MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF VIRULENCE GENES IN PROTEUS SPECIES ISOLATED FROM CHICKEN MEAT AND HUMAN SAMPLES IN WASIT PROVINCE, IRAQ
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36103/xf7d9s51Keywords:
chicken meat, foodborne disease, Proteus species, virulence genesAbstract
The objective of this study was to examine the presence of the most crucial genes mrpI, ureC, and zapA associated with the virulence of Proteus species isolated from chicken meat and human sources, with the goal of better understanding how they spread via the food chain. Between March and September 2023, two hundred chicken meat samples were collected from local supermarkets, and 120 human urine samples were evaluated in Wasit province hospitals, Iraq. The study found that P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris were isolated at a rate of 13 and 4%, respectively, from 200 chicken meat samples. However, the isolation rate in humans was 25 and 6.6%, with 30 and 8 isolates from 120 urine samples. Data revealed that contamination with P. mirabilis boosts the risk by 3.40 times compared to P. vulgaris. Molecular analysis showed that the ureC and zapA genes were identified in both isolates at 100 and 99%, respectively. In comparison, the mrpI gene existed in all isolates derived from chicken flesh and human samples at 99%. These findings demonstrate that bacteria can cause infection and disease due to the existence of virulence genes that control mechanisms such as biofilm formation, toxin release, and tissue invasion. The discovery of these bacteria in human food emphasizes maintaining the highest health and safety standards when preparing and processing meat for human consumption.
Received: 28/12/2024
Accepted: 27/4/2025
Published: 30/6/2026
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