Distribution of chaperone-usher fimbriae and curli fimbriae among uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Abstract

Background: In the present study, we aimed to determine the frequency of the csgA, fimH, mrkD, foc, papaGI, papGII and papGIII genes, to provide and to design fimbrial adhesin gene (FAG) patterns and profiles for the isolated uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains.

Methods: The enrollment of 108 positive urine samples was performed during seven months, between January 2022 and July 2022. The UPEC strains were confirmed through the standard microbiological and biochemical tests. The antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed through the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Molecular screening of FAGs was done through the polymerase chain reaction technology. The statistical analyses including chi square and Fisher's exact tests were performed to interpret the obtained results in the present study.

Results: As the main results, the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns, multi- (MDR) and extensively drug-resistance (XDR) patterns and FAG patterns were designed and provided. fimH (93.3%), csgA (90.4%) and papG (37.5%) (papGII (30.8%)) genes were recognized as the top three FAGs, respectively. Moreover, the frequency of csgA-fimH gene profile was identified as the top FAG pattern (46.2%) among the others. The isolates bearing csgA-fimH gene profile were armed with a versatile of phenotypic AMR patterns. In the current study, 27.8%, 69.4% and 1.9% of the UPEC isolates were detected as extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) producers, MDR and XDR strains, respectively.

Conclusions: In conclusion, detection, providing and designing of patterns and profiles in association with FAGs, AMR feature in UPEC strains give us an effective option to have a successful and influential prevention for both of UTIs initiation and AMR feature.

Keywords: Antimicrobial drug resistance; Extensively drug resistance; Fimbrial adhesins; Multidrug resistance; Urinary tract infections; Uropathogenic Escherichia coli; Virulence genes.

Fig. 1

X- and Y axes show the percentages and the age range of the patients with UTIs, respectively. The highest number of patients (n = 23 (19 females and 4 males) (21.3%)) belongs to the age range of 51–60 while, the lowest one (n = 1 (female) (0.9%)) belongs to the age range of 91–100. The others were 0–10 (n = 8 (7 females and 1 male) (7.4%)), 11–20 (n = 6 (females) (5.6%)), 21–30 (n = 10 (females) (9.3%)), 31–40 (n = 18 (17 females and 1 male) (16.7%)), 41–50 (n = 21 (females) (19.4%)), 61–70 (n = 10 (7 females and 3 males) (9.3%)), 71–80 (n = 9 (7 females and 2 males) (8.3%)) and 81–90 (n = 2 (1 female and 1 male) (1.9%))