RAPD PCR genotyping of <i>Enterococcus faecium</i> isolated from urinary tract infection and correlation between biofilm formation with antibiotic resistance and virulence genes

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the occurrence of virulence factors in Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from urinary tract infections (UTIs) and perform genotyping of the isolated strains using RAPD-PCR. Method: A total of seventy-five (75) E. faecium strains isolated from UTIs underwent molecular and biochemical testing for verification. Sensitivity testing and identification of virulence factors were conducted using antimicrobial tests. Results: Enterococcus faecium was detected in 53.57 % (75 out of 140) of urine samples in individuals suspected of having urinary tract infections. Additionally, all isolated strains demonstrated the ability to produce biofilm, with biofilm reactions observed in every E. faecium isolate. The strains exhibited either a strong (80 %), moderate (13.33 %) or weak (6.67 %) biofilm reaction. The highest antibiotic resistance in E. fascium isolates was related to penicillin and cotrimoxazole (83.33 and 80 %, respectively) while the lowest resistance was related to nitrofurantoin (26.67 %). The ebp C and ebp B were reported at 93.33 and 92 %, respectively, for E. faecium. The prevalence of ccf, cpd, cob and ebpA in E. fascium isolates was reported at 6.66, 13.33, 6.66, and 86.66 %, respectively. The RAPD-PCR analysis revealed the presence of 20 distinct molecular clusters, determined based on a similarity threshold of over 80 %. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the spread of multidrug-resistant E. faecium strains isolated from urinary tract infections (UTI). Being a quick and cost-effective method, RAPD typing has been used to show clonal relatedness and to trace possible sources of organisms for epidemiological purposes.