Virulence factors analysis and antibiotic resistance of uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from patients in northeast of Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Escherichia coli is known to be the pathogen commonly isolated from those infected with uri- nary tract infections (UTIs). The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of E. coli virulence genes and antibiotics’ resistance pattern among clinical isolates in the Northeast of Iran. Relationships between virulence genes and antimicrobial resistances were studied as well.
 Materials and Methods: Three hundred isolates of E. coli were isolated from patients with UTIs that referred to Ghaem and Imam Reza hospitals (Mashhad, Iran) during August 2016 to February 2017. A multiplex PCR was employed to amplify the genes encoding pyelonephritis associated pili (pap), S-family adhesions (sfa), type1fimbriae (fimH) and aerobactin (aer). Disk diffusion test was performed to test the susceptibility of isolates to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, quino- lone, fluoroquinolones, carbapenems and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
 Results: The PCR results identified the fimH in 78.4%, aer in 70.5%, sfa in 13.6% and the pap in 8.2% of isolates. The rates of antibiotic resistance of the isolates were as follows: 64.7% resistant to cephalosporins, 34% to trimethoprim-sul- famethoxazole, 31% to fluoroquinolones, 15.3% to aminoglycosides, 13.3% to β-lactams, 7.8% to quinolones and 4.4% to carbapenems. Significant relationships existed between pap and aer, pap and sfa, aer and fluoroquinolones also pap and cephalosporins.
 Conclusion: fimH and aer were found in > 50% of isolates suggesting the importance of both genes in UPEC. The majority of isolates had fimH as adhesion factor for colonization. Determining antibiotic resistance patterns in specific geographical areas is necessary for appropriate treatment of urinary tract infection. The high rate of resistance to cephalosporins is most likely due to incorrect drug administration

Phylogenetic groups, serogroups and virulence factors of uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from patients with urinary tract infection in Baghdad, Iraq

“…The UPEC supplies the iron it needs by encoding the aer gene, a gene that is strongly associated with pyelonephritis, cystitis, and bacteremia and is involved in bacterial survival and colonization ( 38 , 39 ). Differences in the prevalence of virulence factors, including fim H and aer in UPEC in our study and other studies such as Iran ( 40 ) and Turkey ( 18 ) could be due to geographical differences, climate, public health, diet, sampling techniques, etiquette, and traditions. However, negative PCR does not always mean the absence of virulence gene because mutation of the gene may lead to negative PCR ( 37 ).…”

Assessment of antibiotic resistance changes during the Covid-19 pandemic in northeast of Iran during 2020–2022: an epidemiological study

“…Before the pandemic, only one study evaluated AMR in Mashhad between August 2016 and February 2017. The study only examined E. coli antibiotic resistance patterns to drug classes and evidenced 64.7% and 4.4% resistance to cephalosporins and carbapenems, respectively [ 14 ]. There were other studies conducted in Iran.…”

Isolation and Characterization of Novel Lytic Phages Infecting Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli

“…Due to their high prevalence and the increased antibiotic resistance (AR) reported in clinical isolates of UPEC, UTIs represent a serious public health issue worldwide ( 5 , 6 ). Antimicrobial resistance has risen rapidly in recent years, generating an even more complex scenario where multidrug-resistant (MDR) UPEC strains are unresponsive to the currently available antibacterial therapies ( 7 , 8 ).…”