Genetic variation of hsp60 gene in Enterobacter cloacae isolated from frozen chicken meat in Iraq

This study aimed to use hsp60 genes of Enterobacter species from the chicken meats amplified by traditional PCR to determine its phylogenetic position compared to those registered in the gene bank. For this purpose, 120 samples of refrigerated chicken meat were collected in the province of Al-Najaf between August 2020 and April 2021. The results showed that out of 120 bacterial isolates, 30 were infected with E. cloacae based on Vitik tests, which is about 25%; however, 30 infected samples with E. cloacae were positive based on the hsp60 gene. Analysis of hsp60 sequences was using PCR and E. cloacae ssp. dissolvens was detected and its phylogenetic position compared to other E. cloacae gene sequences in the gene bank was provided.