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), αEnolase (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 Original Research Article Abdul-Lateef et al.; BBJ, 10(3): 1-11, 2016; Article no.BBJ.22033 2 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.