Molecular Diagnosis and Characterization of Bacillus subtilis Isolated from Burn Wound in Iran

Background and Aim: Bacillus subtilis refers to stretched and sometimes curved, gram-positive, aerobic, and catalase-positive bacilli , which has thermo-resistant endospores. It has been known as a normal flora in the human but can be pathogens In the case of opportunistic. Also, it can be the pathogen of nosocomial infections such as wound among hospitalized patients. Purpose of this study was to identify the type of nosocomial infections in a burn patient suffering from wound infections and septicemia. Methods: In November 2012, sampling was made from the burn wound of a 26year-old woman infected with septicemia using a sterile swab. The wound sample was cultured on a blood agar medium. Various routine biochemical tests were performed for species detection and identification. Eventually, PCR was used to increase the reliability and accuracy in the identification of the isolated bacterium. The PCR product was then sequenced. Results: According to the results of different biochemical tests and molecular identification, the bacteria separated from B. subtilis wound were reported. The mentioned gene was recorded under access number AB894357 in the gene bank. Conclusion: According to the conducted studies, although B. subtilis is known as a commensal bacterium, it can be considered a pathogen of nosocomial infection, which subsequently causes secondary infections. Considering that B. subtilis is known as a nonpathogenic bacterium, it is recommended to pay more attention to its diagnosis and treatment as an opportunistic pathogen among hospitalized patients.