Molecular detection of Escherichia coli Cause Urinary Tract Infections among Pregnant Women at Thi-Qar province, Iraq

Abstract

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Enterobacteriaceae has increased sharply in recent years. Extendedspectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae include Escherichia coli has become especially
common. Although traditionally linked to risk factors such as prior hospitalization and antibiotic use, these
bacteria have become increasingly recognized in the community, especially as pathogens in urinary tract
infections (UTIs). In this study urine samples from 150pregnant women clinically diagnosed with UTIs
were used for Gram staining, culture, API 20 E and singleplex PCR. Singleplex PCR was performed with
primers targeted to chuA and yjaA genes and anonymous DNA fragment TspE4C2 of E. coli. The positive
singleplex PCR products were identified by presence of 279 bp, 211 bp and 152 bp amplicons of chuA and
yjaA genes and anonymous DNA fragment TspE4C2 for of E.coli. Conventional methods of Gram staining,
culture and API 20E test showed positive result for E. coli in 35 (40%) out of 150 pregnant clinically
diagnosed with urinary tract infection. PCR detected 24 (27.5%) out of the 35 (40%) samples that were
positive for E. coli. The majority of UTIs caused by spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae
include E. coli was acquired in the community, so rapid, specific and sensitive molecular are urgently needed
to better prevalence, prevent and treat these infections in Iraq