Microbiologic profile of Escherichia coli strains isolated from urinary tract infections in aged nephrology clinic patients.

Abstract

The invasion of bacteria in the urinary system in humans characterizes the urinary tract infection (UTI) with the capacity to cause cystitis and/or pyelonephritis. Escherichia coli is the main microorganism associated with UTI and was therefore called UPEC (Uropathogenic Escherichia coli). UTI prevalence between genders decreases after 65 years in community infections and in post-menopausal women. Urinary infections can occur in outpatients or inpatients in the presence of several factors such as differentiated antimicrobial resistance profile, attachment, and invasion to uroepithelial cells, presence of virulence factors, biofilm formation, and prevalent phylogenetic group. The present study aims to relate the UTI by UPEC in outpatients older than 55 years attended in nephrology. It was detected that virulence mechanisms such as adhesion and invasion in renal cells may be associated with the urinary tract infection process caused by UPEC in these patients. Biofilm formation and association with phylogenetic group D can be important determinants of early adhesion and infection.