Isolation and Identification of Bacteria and Fungi Correlated with Mastitis in Breastfeeding Women in AI-Anbar Governorate/West of Iraq

Abstract

Mastitis is a common phenomenon experienced by a lot of breastfeeding women. Lactational mastitis, commonly occurs because of prolonged milk duct engorgement, which allows bacteria to enter through breaks in the skin, resulting in an infection. Mastitis can occur at various stages of lactation, although it is most observed within the second and third weeks following childbirth. For isolation and identification of bacteria associated with mastitis, Blood agar medium, MacConkey agar, and mannitol salt agar were used, whereas Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) was used for fungal isolation. Different biochemical test has been performed for bacterial isolates including gram stain, catalase, coagulase, and Vitec 2 compact. For fungal isolates, KOH treatment and lactophenol cotton blue test were performed. Fungal DNA was extracted then PCR was used for the detection ITS Gene of candida spp. Using gel electrophoresis of PCR product on 2% agarose. The study revealed Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida spp. as significant bacteria that are commonly related to mastitis in women. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus was seen to be high, with a notable manifestation of lesions. Additionally, both Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were shown to be associated with the presence of redness. Candida albicans had a notable prominence, displaying a heightened prevalence in the regions of the nipple. Furthermore, it demonstrated a correlation with the presence of lesions and redness. The presence of redness was observed as a notable sign in cases linked with Candida tropicalis. This study provides insights into the microbial diversity linked to mastitis mainly in breastfeeding women, highlighting the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida spp.