Overview of Proteus mirabilis pathogenicity and virulence. Insights into the role of metals

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

• Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative bacterium known for urease production, swarming, and multicellularity.
• It frequently causes urinary tract infections (UTIs) and catheter-associated UTIs (CAUTIs).
• The bacterium exhibits antibiotic resistance, including strains producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and treatment of Proteus mirabilis infections.
• To highlight the challenges posed by antibiotic-resistant strains.
• To explore the role of metallophores in P. mirabilis virulence.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of Proteus mirabilis epidemiology, clinical aspects, and molecular mechanisms.
• Analysis of genomic data regarding antibiotic resistance genes.
• Investigation into the function of virulence factors, with a focus on metallophores.

Main Results:

• Proteus mirabilis is a significant cause of UTIs, complicated by antibiotic resistance.
• Virulence factors include urease, fimbriae, hemolysins, biofilm formation, and metallophores.
• Metallophores, particularly siderophores, play a crucial role in P. mirabilis pathogenicity.

Conclusions:

• Proteus mirabilis infections present a clinical challenge due to antibiotic resistance.
• Metallophores represent a promising therapeutic target for combating P. mirabilis infections.
• Further research into metallophore function can guide novel treatment strategies.