Study of Virulence Factors and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary tract infections are the most commonly encountered bacterial infections both in community and health care settings. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the single most common pathogen, accounting for 70-75% of all cases of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). The aim of the present study is to isolate UPEC from urine samples from UTI patients, to evaluate the virulence factors and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Material and methods: A total of 100 E.coli isolates out of 292 urine samples collected from clinically suspected UTI were taken for the study and detection of virulence factors such as haemolysin production, haemagglutination and cell surface hydrophobicity were done. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done by Kirby Baur disc diffusion method as per the CLSI guidelines. Results: The incidence of UTI was more in females 52% and haemolysis was seen in 32%, haemagglutination in 40%, and cell surface hydrophobicity in 24% of strains. The UPEC strains were more resistant to Ampicillin (52%) followed by Cotrimoxazole (46%), Norfloxacin (42%) and Ceftriaxone(40%). Most of the strains were sensitive to Meropenem (80%) followed by Amikacin(78%) and Nitrofurantoin (72%). Conclusion: As there is a significant association between the virulence and antimicrobial resistance of UPEC, a routine testing of these factors is recommended and further studies at molecular level are necessary.