The role of the gene sivH in the Virulence of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Abstract

of ≥105 CFU/ml. Isolates belonged to 8 males and 22 females whose ages ranged between 4 to 85 years. A control group of 20 isolates of E. coli strains isolated from the stool of healthy people who were matched for age and sex was also collected. The collected isolates were subjected to Gram stain, culture on MacConkey agar plates and XLD agar plates (for the control group), biochemical reactions, routine antibiotic susceptibility using disk diffusion method and real – time PCR for detection of sivH producer gene. Among 30 urinary E. coli isolates 28(93.0%) were positive for sivH gene. On the other hand, 13(65%) out of the 20 fecal isolates were positive for the same gene with a statistically significant difference. Correlation between the sivH gene with ESBL production, age, sex and hospital admission showed no statistical significance.

CONCLUSION  Identification of E. coli genes epidemiologically associated with UTIs could improve the understanding of mechanisms of infection by E. coli. This will be potentially valuable for developing strategies for treating and / or preventing such infections as well as differentiating UPEC from non-UPEC.  Our study, is most probably, the first to try detection of sivH gene in UPEC in Egypt.  The sivH gene is positively associated with UPEC.

RECOMMENDATIONS  Further studies should be performed on larger number of isolates to detect: 1. The prevalence of sivH gene in Egypt in UPEC. 2. Other putative urovirulence genes present on the same PAI of sivH gene. 3. Whether infection can occur in the presence of one virulence gene or the presence of a cluster of virulence genes is needed.  Trials should be done for the use of pilicides and mannosides as a way of treatment instead of antibiotics.  Strict adherence to infection control measures in hospitals to avoid the spread of ESBL strains.