Involvement of virulence properties and antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli strains causing pyelonephritis in

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Non-Invasive Model of Neuropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in the Neonatal Rat
08:27

Non-Invasive Model of Neuropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in the Neonatal Rat

Published on: October 29, 2014

Ján Koreň1, Katarína Čurová, Marta Kmeťová

  • 1Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. jan.koren@fmed.uniba.sk

Folia Microbiologica
|June 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Most pediatric pyelonephritis E. coli strains carry virulence genes, with P fimbria and aerobactin being most common. Many strains show resistance to common antibiotics, but remain susceptible to meropenem.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Pyelonephritis in children is frequently caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC).
  • Virulence factors (VFs) are crucial for E. coli pathogenesis, but their prevalence and correlation with antimicrobial resistance in pediatric pyelonephritis are not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of key virulence factor genes in pediatric pyelonephritis-causing E. coli strains.
  • To analyze the co-occurrence of these virulence genes.
  • To determine antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and their correlation with virulence factors.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular detection of genes encoding P fimbria, S fimbria, AFA adhesins, cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (cnf1), α-hemolysin (α-hly), and aerobactin (aer) in 145 E. coli isolates.
  • Analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility using standard methods.
  • Statistical analysis to assess gene co-occurrence and resistance correlations.

Main Results:

  • High prevalence of virulence genes: P fimbria (67.6%), S fimbria (53.8%), aerobactin (71.7%), cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (37.9%), and α-hemolysin (41.4%).
  • 93.8% of isolates harbored at least one VF gene, with significant co-occurrence observed for specific gene combinations (e.g., aer-pap, aer-pap-sfa-α-hly-cnf1).
  • All strains were susceptible to meropenem, amikacin, and tobramycin, but resistance was noted for ampicillin (43.4%) and piperacillin (31.7%). Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole resistance (11.7%) correlated significantly with the presence of α-hly, sfa, and cnf1 genes.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric pyelonephritis E. coli strains frequently possess multiple virulence factors, contributing to disease severity.
  • The observed antimicrobial resistance patterns, particularly toward trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, are linked to specific virulence gene profiles.
  • Knowledge of VF prevalence and resistance is vital for guiding empirical treatment strategies in pediatric urinary tract infections.

More Related Videos

Establishment and Characterization of UTI and CAUTI in a Mouse Model08:40

Establishment and Characterization of UTI and CAUTI in a Mouse Model

Published on: June 23, 2015

Intrarenal Injection of Escherichia coli in a Rat Model of Pyelonephritis06:09

Intrarenal Injection of Escherichia coli in a Rat Model of Pyelonephritis

Published on: July 18, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the renal parenchyma and collecting system, including the renal pelvis, tubules, and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys. It can be classified as either acute—a sudden, severe infection—or chronic, which refers to long-term or recurrent kidney infections.The primary cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. Other bacteria, such as Proteus,...
Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology01:25

Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of urinary tract infections (UTIs) encompasses several progressive stages, beginning with bacterial colonization and culminating in potential systemic complications if untreated. UTIs are primarily initiated by bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, which often originate from the gastrointestinal tract and migrate to the urinary system through the periurethral area. This migration can occur via several routes, including improper hygiene practices, sexual activity, or...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...