Molecular Detection of (Urec , Mrpa , Hpma) Genes in Proteus mirabilis Bacteria Isolated From Patients with Urinary Tract Infection

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the term for bacterial colonization or infection of the urinary bladder, ureters and tract. Objective: This study aimed to detect specific virulence genes in Proteus mirabilis isolated from urine samples of Iraqi patients with urinary tract infection. Patients and methods: During the study period from early December 2021 to late April 2022, urine specimens (103 specimens) were collected from patients with symptoms and signs of UTI from various hospitals in Baghdad and private laboratories in Baghdad. Samples were collected from men and women of different age groups (4-75 years) with clinically suspected UTI. Results: All specimens were identified based on their properties on media (blood agar and MacConkey agar). Colonies on blood agar were identified as P.mirabilis due to their colonization, also had a characteristic fishy smell and appeared to form smooth, pale or colorless colonies on Macckongy agar instead, further diagnosed by using VITEK 2 system and molecular diagnosis by urec gene also gave positive results for 22 isolates of P. mirabilis. (mrpA, hpmA) genes detection results: mrpA presence percentage was 100%, while hpmA was 22.72%.    Conclusion: The molecular technique showed that the mrpA, hpmA and urec genes associated with virulence factor include: adherence activity, produce Alpha (α) hemolysin and urease.