Association of coronary atherosclerosis with stutzerimonas stutzeri strains (HaSa 1, 2, 3, and 4) of biofilmforming bacteria

Abstract

Objective. Coronary atherosclerosis, also known as coronary artery disease, is increasing in developing countries like Iraq. A recent study investigated the presence and potential impact of a bacterial strain called Stutzerimonas stutzeri on coronary atherosclerosis. This research aims to provide insights into this medical concern that has seen a significant surge in cases over the past two decades. Methods. Samples were collected from patients who underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) at the Mosul Center for Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery between 9/10/2022 and 1/3/2023. The samples were obtained from the fluid (blood) coming out from the guiding catheter of the balloon during angioplasty, and then the balloon samples were placed in transport media (Tryptone Soya Broth). Advanced scientific methods, including biochemical tests, the Vitek-2 system, a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Molecular methods based on the 16S rRNA gene, were utilized to identify the bacteria. The Nitrogen base sequences were located and compared to those in the NCBI database using BLAST software. Results. New strains of Stutzerimonas stutzeri bacteria were discovered in people with coronary atherosclerosis for the first time. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) named these new strains as follows: Stutzerimonas stutzeri strain HaSa1, S. stutzeri strain HaSa2, S. stutzeri strain HaSa3, and S. stutzeri strain HaSa4. They have the ability to form biofilms. This was diagnosed with direct smears of balloon samples, smears of isolated bacterial colonies stained with a gram stain, and scanning electron microscope photos of balloon samples. Conclusion. The newly found Stutzerimonas stutzeri strains most likely cause chronic inflammatory responses in people that have atherosclerosis in their coronary arteries by building biofilms.