One hundred and eighty-nine subjects from Baghdad enrolled in this study (110
female and 79 male) and gathered into two investigated groups; the first group
consisted of 149 patients, and the second group consisted of 40 healthy individuals. Results revealed after clinical laboratory diagnosis of urine samples 12 (8.1%)
gave a negative bacterial culture, 137 (91.9%) were positive culture, while all urine
samples of healthy control were negative. Gram staining and microscopic examination of bacterial colonies showed that 11(8.03%) out of 137 isolates were
identified as Gram-positive and 126 (91.97%) as Gram-negative. After biochemical analysis and diagnosis by the Vitik system, the data demonstrated that a single
infectious agent caused all U.T.I. cases. U.P.E.C. represented the most common
bacterial agent because of several virulence factors responsible for its pathogenicity. The test tube method and Congo red agar medium have been used to
detect biofilm formation. Results demonstrate that 129 (94.16 %) of bacterial
isolates were producers, while just 8 (5.84 %) were non-producers. The results of
the microtiter plate method revealed that the isolates were categorized into four
groups: Strong, moderate, weak, and harmful. 22 (63.5%) were strong biofilm
producers, 28 (20.449%) were moderate producers, 14 (10.22%) were weak producers, and 8 (5.84%) were unable to form biofilm. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6
and IL-8 were estimated by Sandwich ELISA, which were significantly higher in
patients with different types of U.T.I.s than the healthy group. This study concluded that the U.P.E.C. represented the most common prevalent agent of U.T.I.s
and more efficient biofilm-producer bacteria. The test tube method is the best
qualitative, quick, and easy detection method of biofilm formation, while the microtiter plate is the best quantitative and sensitive method. A positive correlation
was found between biofilm formation and elevated serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, proportionally increased with advanced and severe, especially
in old persons.
Keywords: UTIs; ELISA; IL-1β; IL-6; IL-8; Iraq