Molecular Detection of Genes Encoding for Adhesion Factors in Biofilm Formation among Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolates

Abstract

Background: The ability of Escherichia coli to build biofilms leads to the development of numerous diseases and makes their removal challenging. In addition to being the most common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs), E. coli has been linked to disease in almost every area of the human body. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the uropathogenic E. coli biofilm development using molecular and biochemical methods. Materials and Methods: Out of the total 117 urine samples obtained from UTI patients and diagnosed by selective media EMB (eosin methylene blue agar) and Vitek2 system, antibiotic sensitivity test, biofilm formation assay, and molecular detection of genes encoding for adhesion factors using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique were done. Results: Fifty E. coli isolates from both sexes of different ages were isolated; the UTI rate in females was 82% and in males was 18%. The result of the antibiotic sensitivity test, in terms of the percentage of resistance, was as follows: ampicillin, 50%; amoxicillin-clavulanate, 98%; ceftazidime, 72%; cefotaxime, 68%; aztreonam, 26%; gentamicin, 48%; levofloxacin, 36%; and trimethoprim, 52%, so that a high percentage of multidurg resistance resulted in the current study was 88%. The results of the quantification of biofilm formation revealed that all isolates produced biofilm with the following percentages: five (10%) as strong adherents, 36 (72%) as moderate biofilm producers, and nine (18%) were weak producers. The prevalence of genes fimH, csgA, and ag43 was 92%, 98%, and 92%, respectively, the result of detection of genes encoding for adhesion factors using PCR technique. Conclusions: The biofilm phenotype was indicated in all E. coli isolates and can confer virulence behavior and considered as a great challenging health problem and there is a significant association between adherent factor’s genes (fimH, csgA, ag43) and the ability to produce biofilm within E. coli isolates.