UG - 4: Virulence Factors of Uropathogenic E. coli in Patients Presenting to a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Escherichia coli are organisms with the ability to colonise and persist in numerous niches. They are usually commensals, but can also take on a more pathogenic nature, causing infections of the blood stream, intestinal tract and the urinary tract among others. Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) are the primary cause of about 70 -95% of community acquired urinary tract infections and recurrence is usually a major problem in many individuals. There are several virulence factors associated with UPEC like Iron acquisition systems, fimbriae, secreted toxins like α -hemolysin, biofilm formation etc. Virulence factors among various types of UPEC have been poorly studied. This study aims at comparing the presence of some common virulence factors among UPEC isolated from patients with urinary tract infection (UTI). Materials and methods:This study was done between June -July 2017 on patients presenting with symptoms of UTI. Clean catch mid-stream urine samples were collected from these patients and 91 cases who had