Diagnosis of bacteria isolated from patients with cutaneous eczema by PCR technique at Azadi Hospital, Kirkuk, Iraq

Eczema is a common skin condition that can be worsened or caused by a bacterial infection. This study aimed to investigate the bacterial pathogens associated with skin eczema in patients admitted to Azadi Hospital in Kirkuk using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. The goal was to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of bacteria identification compared to traditional methods. A total of 300 patients suffering from symptoms of skin eczema between the ages of 1-40 years, females and males, were included. Bacterial isolates were obtained from skin samples, and conventional microbiological techniques were initially used for identification. Subsequently, molecular analysis using PCR was performed to confirm and characterize the bacterial species. The study included 165 male patients represented (55%), 135 female (45%), of participants who had symptoms of skin eczema. The PCR test targeted specific genes associated with common bacteria implicated in skin infections, such as Staphylococcus. aureus (33 %), Staphylococcus epidermidis (28%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (20 %) , pseudomonas aeruginosa (13 %), respectively, and the remaining( 6 %). of the samples were natural flora. The genetic fingerprints of these bacterial species were identified, an image of them was taken on an agarose gel electrophoreses , and the results were compared with those obtained through traditional methods to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of PCR in diagnosing bacterial infections in cases of skin eczema. Preliminary results indicated that PCR significantly improved the accuracy and speed of bacterial identification compared to traditional methods. It has allowed the detection of specific bacterial species that might be missed using conventional methods. The prevalence and diversity of bacterial species causing skin eczema in Azadi Hospital in Kirkuk were also explored. This study contributes valuable insights into the microbial etiology of cutaneous eczema, emphasizing the importance of molecular techniques in accurate and rapid diagnosis. The findings may guide more targeted and effective treatment strategies for patients with bacteria-associated skin eczema, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of complications.