Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in the high vaginal swab samples of fertile and infertile women: virulence factors, O-serogroups, and phenotyping and genotyping characterization of antibiotic resistance

Abstract

Transmission of urinary tract infections into the reproductive system is unavoidable. The present research was performed to assess the distribution of virulence genes, O-serogroups and antibiotic resistance properties of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains isolated from the high vaginal swab samples of fertile and infertile women. A total of 460 high vaginal swab samples were taken from fertile and infertile women. Distribution of virulence factors and serogroups and antibiotic resistance properties of the E. coli isolates were assessed. Sixty-five out of 460 (14.13%) swab samples were positive for E. coli . Prevalences of E. coli in samples taken from fertile and infertile women were 13.63% and 14.58%, respectively. O1 (7.69%), O2 (6.15%) and O6 (6.15%) were the most frequently detected serogroups. The most frequently detected virulence genes were sfa (72.72%), afa (72.72%), cnf1 (72.72%) and fim (72.72%). The most commonly detected antibiotic-resistance genes were tetA (95.45%), CITM (88.63%), aac(3)-IV (86.36%) and sul1 (72.72%). UPEC strains harboured the highest prevalence of resistance against tetracycline (88.63%), ampicillin (79.54%), gentamicin (77.27%) and enrofloxacin (52.27%). Seventeen out of 26 (65.38%) UPEC strains isolated from infertile women were resistant toward more than ten antibiotic agents. Infertile women with a history of urinary tract infections had the higher prevalence of UPEC strains and also the other characters. High prevalence of the virulent and resistant UPEC strains in the high vaginal part of the infertile women with a history of urinary tract infections may show an important role of these pathogens as causes of female infertility. However, further research is required to confirm this hypothesis.

Molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from seafood samples

“…Ten microliters of PCR product were exposed to electrophoresis in a 2% agarose gel in 1X TBE buffer at 80 V for 30 min, stained with SYBR Green. The UVI doc gel documentation systems (Grade GB004; Jencons PLC, London, UK) were applied to analyze images (Ghorbani et al., 2016; Dehkordi et al., 2020).…”

Observational study of vaginal culture in symptomatic and asymptomatic non pregnant female patient in tertiary care hospital

“…In a study conducted by Dehkordi et al, 65 out of 406 (14.13%) swab samples were positive for E. coli. 18 When we treated these patients according to sensitivity report, patients got complete relief of symptoms and repeat culture report came out to be negative.…”

Urogenital tract and rectal microbiota composition and its influence on reproductive outcomes in infertile patients

“…This is similar to the microbial changes in the vagina and cervix. Urinary and reproductive systems are closely associated with each other and infections of one system can easily transmit to another (Safarpoor Dehkordi et al, 2020). Sequencing analysis of the bacterial strains isolated from the vagina and bladder in the same woman showed that Escherichia coli, Streptococcus anginosus, L. iners, and L. crispatus were highly similar between them (Thomas- White et al, 2018).…”