Multiplex PCR amplification for the detection of Biofilm and extended-spectrum Beta-Lactamase resistance genes and antibiotic resistance patterns in uropathogenic E. coli

The issue of urinary tract infections, particularly those caused by Escherichia coli belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family, has received considerable critical attention and is evaluated as the second most common infection in humans. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), which is virulent, produces extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), and is also multidrug-resistant (MDR), is considered to be a common growing public health issue worldwide. This could be a contributing factor for UTIs to become far more severe, first-line antibiotics to become less effective, and thus the rates of morbidity and mortality to rise. In this study, 73 Escherichia coli strains have been isolated from urine specimens. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was evaluated through the disc agar diffusion method. Taken together, the resistance pattern is the underlying basis of MDR. Three significant biofilm genes and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms were evaluated in these isolates with ten typical antibiotic discs, considering that the data was processed using SPSS statistical software, version 25. In this study, 73 isolates of E. coli were examined, in which pap gene is present in 89% of isolates, fimH gene is present in 86.3% of isolates, and sfa gene is present in 69.9% of isolates. Furthermore, the beta-lactamase gene blaTEM, blaCTX-M, and blaSHV gene frequency were 90.4%, 79.5, and 50.7% respectively. The results of the antibiotic resistance pattern elucidated that most of the isolates were resistant to Ampicillin, Imipenem, and Amoxicillin respectively. This study suggests that the alarming level of virulent ESBL-producer E. coli strains used in this experiment necessitates the performing of an antibiotic stewardship program, regional screening of ESBL-producers and their virulence properties to select appropriate antibiotics, or designing new therapeutic methods for UTIs by inactivation of the essential virulence factors of UPECs.

Multiplex PCR amplification for the detection of Biofilm and extended-spectrum Beta-Lactamase resistance genes and antibiotic resistance patterns in uropathogenic E. coli Keywords:

E. coli , UPEC , ESBL , UTIs , biofilm