Molecular Detection Of Luxs And Rsba Genes In Proteus Mirabilis Bacteria And ALS1 Gene In Candida Albicans Isolated From Urinary Catheter Patients In Kirkuk, Iraq

Abstract

Background:Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is the predominant healthcare-associated infection, frequently occurring in critically ill patients with urinary obstruction and incontinence who undergo prolonged indwelling catheterization exceeding 30 days. This condition is almost universally observed in patients within 14 days of catheter insertion, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and treatment costs.

Aim of the study:Isolation and identification P.mirabilisand C.albicans,then detection both genes LuxS and RsbA in P.mirabilisand ALS1 in C.albicans.

Materials and methods: 235 urine samples were collected from the urology, catheterization, and resuscitation ward, Al-Amal Center, and the artificial kidney unit in Kirkuk Teaching Hospital and Azadi Teaching Hospital in Kirkuk Governorate during the period from March 2024 until the end of July 2024.

Result:A total 235 sampleswere taken from patients who had urinary catheterization. 56(23%) were isolated of P. mirabilis, and 17(7.23%) isolate were for C.albicans. The results of the current study revealed the ability of the isolated P.mirabilisbacteria to form biofilms, and this was revealed morphologically by culturing the bacteria on solid Congo red (CRA) medium, as 54 isolates (96.42%) produced black colonies on solid CRA, while by using PCR analysis, 100 (56%)possess the Lux gene using PCR technology. The results showed that all bacterial isolates showed swarming (100%) on blood agar medium, and 100% possess the RsbA gene. Furthermore 17 C. albicans isolates were examined for the presence of ALS1 genes in the urine of patients who were utilizing catheters. The ALS1 gene was present in ten out of seventeen C. albicans isolates, which represents a ratio of 58.8 percent from the total.

Conclusion:Proteus mirabilis is the main cause of urinary tract infections in humans. According to the results of this study, P. mirabilis isolates from urinary tract infections have the ability to possess virulence factors (phenotypic and genotypic), such as biofilm and hemolysin also candida albicans have geneses responsible of virulence factors  as biofilm forming isolates.