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Assessment of Pathogenic Potential, Virulent Genes Profile, and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Proteus mirabilis from
Emad I Hussein1,2, Khalid Al-Batayneh1, Majed M Masadeh3
1Department of Biological Sciences, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan.
Abstract:
Proteus mirabilis is the third most common bacterium that can cause complicated UTI, especially in catheterized patients. Urovirulence genes of P. mirabilis strains are poorly identified among UTI patients. The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence of the uropathogenic P. mirabilis strains isolated from UTI patients by the detection of several P. mirabilis virulence genes and to characterize the antibiotic susceptibility profile of P. mirabilis isolates. P. mirabilis isolates were collected from urine specimens of patients suffering from UTI. Virulence genes in P. mirabilis, namely, hpmA, hpmB, rsbA, luxS, ureC1, hlyA, rpoA, atfA, atfC, mrpA, and pm1 were detected in the isolates via PCR detection method. All P. mirabilis virulence genes were detected in more than 90% of the isolates except hlyA gene, which was detected in only 23.8% of the isolates. The rate of susceptibility for ceftriaxone was 96.8%, followed by norfloxacin (82.5%), gentamicin (71.4%), ciprofloxacin (69.8%), cephalexin (52.4%), nalidixic acid (42.9%), sulfamethoxazole (39.7%), ampicillin (36.5%), and nitrofurantoin (3.2%). Significant associations (P < 0.05) were detected between antimicrobial susceptibility of each of the following antibiotics and the presence virulence genes. Cephalexin antimicrobial susceptibility was significantly associated with the presence each of ureC1 and atfC. Sulfamethoxazole antimicrobial susceptibility was significantly associated with the presence atfA. Ceftriaxone antimicrobial susceptibility was significantly associated with the presence each of hpmA, ureC1, rpoA, atfC, mrpA, and pm1. Nitrofurantoin antimicrobial susceptibility was significantly associated with the presence each of hpmA, ureC1, rpoA, atfA, atfC, mrpA, and pm1. In conclusion, an association between the presence of urovirulence genes of P. mirabilis and increasing P. mirabilis resistance to antimicrobials has been demonstrated.
Insights
Proteus mirabilis causes complicated UTIs, with most strains carrying virulence genes. This study found a link between these urovirulence genes and increased antibiotic resistance in P. mirabilis isolates.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), particularly in catheterized patients.
- The specific urovirulence genes contributing to P. mirabilis pathogenicity in UTIs are not well-understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of uropathogenic P. mirabilis strains in UTI patients.
- To identify specific P. mirabilis virulence genes.
- To characterize the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of P. mirabilis isolates.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of P. mirabilis from patient urine specimens.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) detection of virulence genes (hpmA, hpmB, rsbA, luxS, ureC1, hlyA, rpoA, atfA, atfC, mrpA, pm1).
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing using standard methods.
Main Results:
- Most P. mirabilis isolates (over 90%) harbored various virulence genes, with hlyA being the exception (23.8%).
- High susceptibility rates were observed for ceftriaxone (96.8%) and norfloxacin (82.5%).
- Significant associations were found between specific virulence genes and resistance to cephalexin, sulfamethoxazole, ceftriaxone, and nitrofurantoin.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates a correlation between the presence of urovirulence genes in P. mirabilis and increased antimicrobial resistance.
- Understanding these gene-antibiotic associations can inform treatment strategies for P. mirabilis UTIs.
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