Molecular analysis of virulence genes of UTI causing bacteria among pregnant women in Baghdad city, Iraq

Abstract

Elaf Sameer and Rawa Abdul Redha Aziz.

UTIs consider the second common widely spread complications in pregnancy period, which if not treated it may pose a risk to the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus. Therefore, study was performed on 90 E. coli isolates obtained from pregnant women having acute cystitis and pyelonephritis admitted to hospitals and private clinics. They were identified using Vitek 2 automated system. Antibiotic sensitivity test were done using 19 antibiotic agents. Four virulent genes related to E. coli were screened. Antimicrobial sensitivity results showed that ampicillin, doxycycline, cefotaxime, cephalexin, ceftriaxone, and ceftazidime were non effective against 31% of E. coli isolates, while 36% of isolates could resist piperacillin and trimethoprim/ sluphomethoxazole. Only 21%, 10% and 5% of isolates could resist cefepime, tetracycline and imipenem, respectively. High percentages of isolates could resist different antibiotics such as 73% were resistant to amikacin and gentamicin, 68% were resistant to tobramycin, 89% were resistant to ticarcillin/ clavulanic acid and nitrofurantoin, and finally 94% were gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, and sulfisoxazole resistant. Genotyping results showed 90% of isolates had fimH gene at 508bp, while 70% of them had kpsMTII gene at 272bp. Also, iroN gene (665bp) was found among 65%, and hly gene (1177bp) was found among 50% of isolates. To conclude, it was obvious that E. coli become more virulent and resistant to antibiotics, leading to major concern on the health of pregnant women and fetus. Avoiding infections and applying different treatment regime should be taken into account.