Molecular Characterization of Some Virulence Factors of Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolated from Children with Acute Otitis Media in Hilla, Iraq

Aims: Isolation and identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae from children with acute otitis media. Molecular detection of some virulence genes of S. pneumoniae such as pneumolysin (ply), autolysin A (LytA), Neuraminidase (NanA), Luminescence luxS, capsular polysaccharide synthesis (cpsA), pneumococcal surface antigen A (psaA), α- Enolase (Eno ) by using PCR primer.

Place and Duration of Study: Hilla Teaching Hospital (ENT unit) and privacy during a period from November (2014) to March (2015), Hilla, Iraq.

Methodology: A total 0f 120 Ear swabs obtained from children suffering from acute otitis media ranged from (1 months - 12 years). Only eight isolates of S. pneumoniae were isolates. Seven virulence genes were investigated in eight clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae by using PCR techniques.

Results: Pneumolysin and autolysin were seen to be present in only 4 isolates which were isolated from otitis media samples, whereas Luminescence and α - Enolase gene were present in five isolates, Besides, Neuraminidase and pneumococcal capsule synthesis A were detected in all isolates. It was found that Pneumococcal Surface antigen A is present in 2 isolates.