Determination of some virulence factors of Citrobacter freundii isolated from Iraqi patients

Asmaa Easa Mahmood,Amidah Ali Atyah

doi:10.24996/ijs.2021.62.9(si).6

Abstract

This study included the isolation and identification of Citrobacter freundii from 220 samples collected from inpatients and outpatients suffering from urinary tract infection (UTI) and identified at the laboratory of the General Samarra Hospital in Samarra City, Iraq. The study was conducted to investigate some of the virulence factors produced by C. freundii. The results showed that 67 isolates were belonging to the C. freundii, with a rate of 30.45%. Twenty eight samples were from inpatients (41.8%) and 39 samples were from outpatients. The bacterial identification was based on cultural and biochemical tests and confirmed by using VITEK2 compact system. Virulence factor results showed that all isolates were not blood hydrolyzing whereas they produced protease. Seven isolates (10.4%) produced biofilm, five from inpatients and two from outpatients, at rates of 17.8% and 5.1%, respectively. The results showed that 17 (25.4%) of the pathogenic isolates were β-lactamase producers, as determined by the iodometric method, twelve of them (17.9%) were from inpatients and 5 (7.5%) from outpatients. Four isolates of C. freundii produced Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESβL) enzymes, three from inpatients and one from outpatients, with ratios of 4.5% and 1.4%, respectively. Also, the via B gene, which is responsible for virulence factors, was investigated using PCR. The results showed that 12 isolates from inpatients and 4 isolates from outpatients were harboring this gene. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Kirby-Bauer’s method showed that all isolates that produced β-lactamase were resistant to antibiotics.

Highlights

Citrobacter freundii is a Gram negative, cocobacilli, lactose fermenter, facultative anaerobic member of the enterobacteriaceae family, which may be found in water, soil and in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals
C. freundii is considered as a major cause of nosocomial infections, characterized by inducible resistance mediated by the chromosomal AmpC β –lactamase [2]
Studies of C. freundii demonstrated their potential risks due to the production of some virulence factors which contain the genes of resistance and pathogenicity that convert these bacteria into a more deadly and resistant organism [8]

Summary

Introduction

Citrobacter freundii is a Gram negative, cocobacilli, lactose fermenter, facultative anaerobic member of the enterobacteriaceae family, which may be found in water, soil and in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals. C. freundii isolated from hospitals patients suffering from urinary tract infection becomes more resistant to different antibiotics like beta-lactamase, third generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides [3]. Studies of C. freundii demonstrated their potential risks due to the production of some virulence factors which contain the genes of resistance and pathogenicity that convert these bacteria into a more deadly and resistant organism [8].

Results

Conclusion