The International Tinnitus Journal

Expression of opa, TfpC, porA genes of Neisseria gonorrhoeae associated with interleukins 6,8,10 in some Iraqi women

Background: Gonorrhea is a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) infection, especially in young women. Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the important bacterial species that prefers an acidic environment, where it ferments sugars and converts them into lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide. It works to inhibit or kill harmful microorganisms in humans, and it opportunistic, causing diseases in humans. The aim of study is diagnosing of Neisseria can be confirmed by molecular detection of the diagnostic and virulence gene by using RT-PCR technology. Measurement the interleukins level 6,8,10 which associated with Neisseria Gonorrhoeae infection and refer to degree of infection. Methods: a total of 200 samples including (170 vaginal swabs from patients and 30 healthy swabs samples as a control sample) were collected from women who visited Al-Ammarah General Hospital in Maysan Governorate, ranging in age from 20 to 42, between October 28, 2022, and May 13, 2023. For the purpose of diagnosing and isolating L. acidophilus and N. gonorrhoeae; Visual, microscopic, biochemical testes were used. Also, the levels of interleukin (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) in serum women with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and the expression of Opa, TfpC, and Pora genes were investigated as virulence factors. Results: The clinical specimens showed that 30 (17.64%) of the total isolates were identified as N. gonorrhoeae. The remaining 140 samples (82%) showed negative results in laboratory culture. The levels of interleukins IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 in the serum of women infected with N. gonorrhoeae bacteria appeared very high compared to the control group. The results were analyzed using a quantitative RT-PCR device for expression of the opa, TfpC, and porA genes, and sRNA16 was used as a constant expression gene for comparison (Housekeeping gene), as the results indicated an increase in gene expression in the three genes compared to the control sample. While differences were observed between genes, the TFpC gene gave the highest gene expression, 441.47, compared to the opa and porA genes, which gave 100.723 and 71.02, respectively. Conclusion: N. gonorrhoeae was responding to sexually transmitted diseases and Opa, TfpC, and Pora genes have a role in the virulence of this bacteria.