Molecular detection of Escherichia coli Cause Urinary Tract Infections among Pregnant Women at Thi-Qar province, Iraq

Abstract

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Enterobacteriaceae has increased sharply in recent years. Extendedspectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae include Escherichia coli has become especiallycommon. Although traditionally linked to risk factors such as prior hospitalization and antibiotic use, thesebacteria have become increasingly recognized in the community, especially as pathogens in urinary tractinfections (UTIs). In this study urine samples from 150pregnant women clinically diagnosed with UTIswere used for Gram staining, culture, API 20 E and singleplex PCR. Singleplex PCR was performed withprimers targeted to chuA and yjaA genes and anonymous DNA fragment TspE4C2 of E. coli. The positivesingleplex PCR products were identified by presence of 279 bp, 211 bp and 152 bp amplicons of chuA andyjaA genes and anonymous DNA fragment TspE4C2 for of E.coli. Conventional methods of Gram staining,culture and API 20E test showed positive result for E. coli in 35 (40%) out of 150 pregnant clinicallydiagnosed with urinary tract infection. PCR detected 24 (27.5%) out of the 35 (40%) samples that werepositive for E. coli. The majority of UTIs caused by spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceaeinclude E. coli was acquired in the community, so rapid, specific and sensitive molecular are urgently neededto better prevalence, prevent and treat these infections in Iraq