Pseudomonas aeruginosa in dental unit waterlines: an emerging threat of virulence genes in healthcare-associated infections.

INTRODUCTION: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), especially in dental environments. In this study, we examine the prevalence of virulence factors in P. aeruginosa isolated from dental chair unit (DCU) water, aiming to evaluate the hygienic status of dental unit waterlines (DUWLs). METHODS: A total of 100 water samples were collected from DCU and the urban water supply at the Dental Faculty of Gorgan, Iran. The samples were cultured in Mueller-Hinton Broth, and DNA was extracted. Molecular identification was performed using gyrB-specific primers, with five isolates confirmed by Sanger sequencing and BLAST analysis. P. aeruginosa was detected in 95 samples. The prevalence of virulence genes (exoS,algD, toxA, and lasB) was assessed via multiplex PCR. RESULTS: Among 95 isolates, 72.63% (69/95) harbored all four genes, with lasB and algD each present in 97.1%, toxA in 95.65%, and exoS in 78.26%. Gene frequencies varied across sites: urban water inlet (12.5%), dental handpiece (83.87%), air-water syringe (75.67%), and water nozzle (81.25%). All five clinical isolates harbored silent mutations in gyrB (C-->T132, T-->C144, and A-->T 111) that preserved the wild-type gyrB amino acid sequence. As all mutations were silent (C-->T132, T-->C144, A-->T111), no structural alterations were observed in the gyrB protein. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight that DUWLs act as reservoirs for P. aeruginosa strains harboring multiple virulence genes associated with biofilm formation. Targeted strategies are urgently needed to disrupt both bacterial growth and gene expression, which could help reduce antibiotic resistance and improve infection control in dental care.