Molecular characterization of head and neck infection causing bacterial
communities using 16S rRNA in eastern Indian population
Abstract
Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a global threat due to either improper
diagnosis or overuse of antibiotics. Head and neck infections (HNI) are
serious diseases that involve several species of microorganisms. Common
complications of HNI developing through bacterial colonization that
leads to airway obstruction, pus collection, and sepsis. During this
study, we collected 264 clinical samples (2020–2022) from Odisha, a
state of eastern India to investigate bacterial communities associated
with HNI followed by their antibiotic susceptibility characteristics,
and the evaluation of their diversity by comparing with global isolates.
We found 218 positive bacterial isolates and 25 multidrug-resistant
bacteria, and accomplished their molecular characterization along with
phylogenetic analysis utilizing the 16S rRNA gene. Population genetic
parameters revealed the haplotype diversity (Hd) and nucleotide
diversity (π) ranged from0.558-0.828 and 0.03236-0.28428 respectively.
This study helps to disseminate the prevalence of these neglected
pathogens within this rarely focused geographical area and its
transboundary potential to navigate better therapeutic approaches.