Identification of Virulence Factors Genes inEscherichia coliIsolates from Women with Urinary Tract Infection in Mexico

Abstract

E coliisolates (108) from Mexican women, clinically diagnosed with urinary tract infection, were screened to identify virulence genes, phylogenetic groups, and antibiotic resistance. Isolates were identified by MicroScan4 system; additionally, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was assessed. The phylogenetic groups and 16 virulence genes encoding adhesins, toxins, siderophores, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and invasins were identified by PCR. Phylogenetic groups distribution was as follows: B1 9.3%, A 30.6%, B2 55.6%, and D 4.6%. Virulence genes prevalence wasecp98.1%,fimH86.1%,traT77.8%,sfa/focDE74.1%,papC62%,iutA48.1%,fyuA44.4%,focG2.8%,sfaS1.9%,hlyA7.4%,cnf-1 6.5%,cdt-B0.9%,cvaC2.8%,ibeA2.8%, andrfc0.9%. Regarding antimicrobial resistance it was above 50% to ampicillin/sulbactam, ampicillin, piperacillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin. UropathogenicE. coliclustered mainly in the pathogenic phylogenetic group B2. The isolates showed a high presence of siderophores and adhesion genes and a low presence of genes encoding toxins. The high frequency ofpapCgene suggests that these isolates have the ability to colonize the kidneys. High resistance to drugs considered as first choice treatment such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and fluoroquinolones was consistently observed.