Study of Virulence Genes of Uropathogenic E.coli in Central India

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli, the most frequent pathogens in acute urinary tract infections, which possess various virulence factors. Four virulence factors associated with uropathogenic Escherichia coli were investigated in 232 clinically isolated E.coli. Conventional PCR systems were used to detect genes encoding for haemagglutination (Pap gene: p fimbriae), adhesion to epithelial cells (Sfa: S fimbrial adhesion, Afa: afimbrial adhesion), Haemolysin production (Hly) and Serum resistance (Tra t). One or more virulence markers were detected in as many as 223 (96.12%) isolates. The genes for Afa+Sfa (69.64%) and Hly (69.40%) was commonest genotypic virulence marker followed byTra t (61.64%) gene and Pap gene (53.45%) was relatively less common genotypic virulence marker found in the present study. Only single virulence marker was detected in 24(10.34%), two virulence markers simultaneously in 76(32.76%), three virulence markers together 79(34.05%) and all four were present in 44 (18.97%) strains. Thus Presence of virulence genes of E.coli appears alone with less frequency and simultaneously with other virulence markers with more frequencies. In the pathogenesis of UTI though one virulence marker may be essential, most of the time multiple virulence markers may operate simultaneously.