Monitoring and Investigation of Resistance Genes gyrA, parC, blaZ, ermA, ermB, and ermC in Staphylococcus saprophyticus Isolated from Urinary Tract Infections in Mazandaran Province, Iran

Aims: Bacterial urinary tract infections are observed in all age groups due to the development of antibiotic-resistant species. This study aimed to investigate resistance genes gyrase subunit A (gyrA), topoisomerase IV (parC) subunit gene, beta lactamase (blaZ), erythromycin ribosome methylase (ermC), ermB, and ermA in Staphylococcus saporophyticus isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Mazandaran Province, Iran. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, ۳۲۸۰ clinical samples were collected from patients with UTIs in Mazandaran Province from April to December ۲۰۲۲. Isolates were identified by biochemical tests. Microbial sensitivity tests were performed by disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to check the presence of resistance genes. Findings: Out of a total of ۳۲۸۰ clinical samples collected, ۲۰۸۸ samples were detected by biochemical tests at the genus level. Escherichia coli (۵۵.۲۲%) and staphylococci (۲۱.۵۹%) were the most frequent bacterial isolates. S. saprophyticus was identified in ۵۲ (۲.۴۹%) samples. The frequency of gyrA and parC genes in S. saprophyticus isolates was ۲۳ and ۱.۹۲%, respectively. The blaZ gene was observed in none of the samples. The prevalence of ermA, ermB, and ermC genes was ۲۱, ۱.۹۲, and ۲۶%, respectively.  The antibiogram test showed that the highest frequency of resistance to erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin was ۷۰, ۳۶, and ۲۰%, respectively. Conclusion: According to the present study findings, rapid detection of these strains in hospitals leads to more effective control of the spread of these strains.

Keywords:

Urinary tract infection , Staphylococcus saprophyticus , Antibiotic resistance , Resistance genes