Detection of Some Virulence Factors and Pyelonephritis-Associated Pilus ( Pap ) Encoding Operon Gene in Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli

Background: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial infections caused by E.coli that have virulence properties including the expression of specific adhesions, toxins such as haemolysin , also the serum resistance, gelatinase production and The P fimbriae which considered an essential virulence factor causing pyelonephritis and encoded by The pyelonephritis-associated pilus (pap) operon. Objectives: This work aimed to detect the association of some virulence factors of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains: cell surface hydrophobicity, haemolysin production, serum resistance, gelatinase production, extended spectrum f lactamase production and pap adhesion encoding operon gene which is responsible for adhesion of E.coli to uroepithelium. Methodology: This work was carried out on 80 patients (27males and 53 females, their ages ranged from 15 to 60 years old) attending the Outpatient Clinic of Urology Department of Benha University Hospital suffering from urinary tract infection (UTI). 80 Urine samples (patients group) and 20 stool samples (control group) were subjected for isolation and identification of UPEC and commensal E.coli respectively. Antibiogram by disc diffusion method, detection of some virulence factors and pap gene by PCR were done for all isolated E.coli strains. Results: UPEC was the most common isolated bacteria 50(62.5%). 33 (66%) of UPEC strains show resistance to ampicillin (10 pg), 45 (90%) of UPEC strains show sensitivity to amikacin (30 pg). In commensal E.coli strains: 12(60%) strains show resistance to ampicillin(10 pg) while 20 (100%) strains were sensitivity to gentamycin (10 pg). 23 (46%) of UPEC strains were hydrophobic, 12 (24%) strains were haemolysin producers, 31 (62%) strains were serum resistant, 1(2%) strain liquefied gelatin and 26 (52%)strains were extended spectrum f lactamase production (ESBL).In commensal E.coli strains: 9 (45%) strains were hydrophobic, 3 (15%) strains were haemolysin producers, 11 (55%) strains were serum resistant, no (0%) strain liquefied gelatin and 8 (40%)strains were ESBL. In UPEC; 36(72%) strains had PAP gene while 12(60 %) strains of commensal E.coli had PAP gene. Conclusion: It can be concluded that pap gene plays an important role in virulence of UPEC