Distribution of phylogenetic groups, adhesin genes, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial resistance of uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from hospitalized patients in Thailand

Nipaporn Tewawong; Siriporn Kowaboot; Yaowaluk Pimainog; Naiyana Watanagul; Thanunrat Thongmee; Yong Poovorawan

doi:10.7717/peerj.10453

Distribution of phylogenetic groups, adhesin genes, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial resistance of uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from hospitalized patients in Thailand

PeerJ. 2020 Dec 2:8:e10453. doi: 10.7717/peerj.10453. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Nipaporn Tewawong¹, Siriporn Kowaboot¹, Yaowaluk Pimainog¹, Naiyana Watanagul², Thanunrat Thongmee³, Yong Poovorawan³

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medical Technology, Rangsit University, Muang, Pathumthani, Thailand.
² Department of Microbiology, Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, Khannayao, Bangkok, Thailand.
³ Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand.

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections and are often caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). We investigated the distribution of phylogenetic groups, adhesin genes, antimicrobial resistance, and biofilm formation in E. coli isolated from patients with UTIs.

Methods: In the present study, 208 UPEC isolated from Thai patients were classified into phylogenetic groups and adhesin genes were detected using multiplex PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using agar disk diffusion. The Congo red agar method was used to determine the ability of the UPEC to form biofilm.

Results: The most prevalent UPEC strains in this study belonged to phylogenetic group B2 (58.7%), followed by group C (12.5%), group E (12.0%), and the other groups (16.8%). Among adhesin genes, the prevalence of fimH (91.8%) was highest, followed by pap (79.3%), sfa (12.0%), and afa (7.7%). The rates of resistance to fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and amoxicillin-clavulanate were 65%, 54.3%, and 36.5%, respectively. The presence of adhesin genes and antibiotic resistance were more frequent in groups B2 and C compared to the other groups. Of the 129 multidrug-resistant UPEC strains, 54% were biofilm producers. Our findings further indicated that biofilm production was significantly correlated with the pap adhesin gene (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion: These findings provide molecular epidemiologic data, antibiotic resistance profiles, and the potential for biofilm formation among UPEC strains that can inform further development of the appropriate prevention and control strategies for UTIs in this region.

Keywords: Adhesin genes; Antimicrobial resistance; Biofilm; Phylogenetic group; Uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Research Institute of Rangsit University (Grant No. 77/2017). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.