Comprehensive characterization of virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates from Bushehr, Iran: High proportion of exoU-positive isolates

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen and a major cause of healthcare-associated infections globally. Understanding the distribution and interaction of its virulence factors in under-investigated regions is crucial for surveillance and targeted interventions. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the phenotypic and genotypic virulence profiles of P. aeruginosa clinical isolates in Bushehr, Iran. A total of 103 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates were collected from three hos