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Molecular detection of HpmA and HlyA hemolysin of uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis

Silvia Emanoele Cestari1, Marilucia Santos Ludovico, Fernando Henrique Martins

  • 1Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Cx. P. 6001, Londrina, PR, 86051-970, Brazil.

Current Microbiology
|July 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Proteus mirabilis causes difficult-to-treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) by forming stones. This study found the hpmA and hpmB genes in most clinical isolates, crucial for understanding UTI pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections, with Proteus mirabilis being a significant pathogen, especially in complicated cases.
  • P. mirabilis contributes to UTI severity through urease-induced stone formation and hemolysin HpmA-mediated kidney tissue damage.
  • The presence of hemolysin genes like hpmA and hpmB is critical for P. mirabilis virulence in UTIs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of hpmA and hpmB genes in clinical isolates of uropathogenic P. mirabilis.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and dot blot techniques for detecting these virulence genes.
  • To analyze the genetic similarity of detected hpmA and hpmB genes with known reference strains.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 211 uropathogenic P. mirabilis isolates.
  • Detection of hpmA, hpmB, and hlyA genes using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
  • Confirmation of gene presence using dot blot and RT-PCR; sequencing of hpmA and hpmB genes in two isolates.

Main Results:

  • The hpmA and hpmB genes were detected in 205 out of 211 isolates (97.15%) via PCR.
  • Dot blot confirmed gene presence in isolates that were negative by PCR, indicating high sensitivity of detection methods.
  • None of the isolates harbored the hlyA gene; sequenced hpmA and hpmB genes showed 98% identity to the HI4320 P. mirabilis strain.

Conclusions:

  • PCR is a highly sensitive and reliable method for detecting hpmA and hpmB genes in P. mirabilis.
  • The high prevalence of hpmA and hpmB genes underscores their importance in the pathogenesis of P. mirabilis-associated UTIs.
  • Further research into these virulence factors could lead to improved therapeutic strategies for complicated UTIs.

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