Phenotypic Identification and Molecular Detection of ecfX and lasB gene in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Burn Wounds with Molecular Redocking of Reference LasB Inhibitor

Author(s): Mustafa Kareem Qasim AL-Azzawi
Date: 11/10/2026
doi: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8425890

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Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important burn wound pathogen and the production of the secreted elastase 
LasB is a potential anti-virulence target. In this study, bacterial isolation, ecfX and lasB detection, and 
reference-ligand redocking against LasB, were performed. A single wound swab was taken from 310 burn 
patients, attending hospitals and private clinics in Wasit Governorate, Iraq from 12 January to 30 May 
2026. The isolates were characterized by culture traits and VITEK 2 and later confirmed by conventional 
PCR. Using AutoDock Vina, the crystallographic inhibitor U7F was redocked with LasB (PDB: 8CC4). 
P. aeruginosa was isolated from 94 samples (30.3%; 95% CI: 25.5–35.7%). Isolation was higher in males 
than females (33.7% versus 25.9%), without a statistically significant association (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 
0.88–2.39; P = 0.139). All 94 of the isolates were also positive for both genes. A total of seven exported 
docking poses with a score range from −9.492 to −6.974 kcal/mol. Connectivity based RMSD showed the 
best crystallographic match with rank 4 (0.55 Å) while the best pose scored 6.64 Å. These results suggest 
a broad distribution of lasB carriage in the collection of isolates and the presence of a docking 
score/geometric agreement mismatch. Prospective inhibitor screening requires further computational 
validation and detection of genes does not determine protease activity.

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