Virulence factors genes and phylogenic groups of Escherichia coli isolated from High Vagina and Endo-cervix of Women from Kerbala

Abstract

background: Eschrechia coli (E. coli) is the most common colonizing bacteria of the genitaltract however, its status as a cause of genital tract infections is questionable.Aims of the study: To study the virulence and phylogenic groups of E coli strains isolated from high vagina and endo-cervix.Materials and Methods: A total of 100 female patients were enrolled in this study. All patients were attendants of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Teaching Hospital in Kerbala , holy kerbala. Iraq in the period from December 2013 to January 2015. E. coli isolates were identified by standard methods. Molecular diagnosis and characterization for virulence and phylogenic genes were detected by Multiplex PCR. Results and Discussion: Among 65 isolates recovered in this study, the most frequent phylogenic group of E. coli was "B2" which comprised 61.5% (no= 40) followed by "Phylogenic group A" that comprised 33.8% (no= 22). Previous studies have shown that phylogenetic groups B2 and D are virulent because these groups are associated with the presence of several virulence factors. Interestingly, 9 out of 10 isolates from women who their husband using condoms were shown to be of B2 phylogenic group. Frequencies of virulence genes of adhesion Pap, Sfa and Afa, among E.coli isolates were 14, 42 and 5, respectively. In addition, Pap C and Sfa were found in higher rates in phylogenetic group B2 isolates, and this gives more support to the hypothesis that B2 is the pathogenic group. Conclusions: Most of the E. coli isolates were belong to the virulent phylogenic group “B2” and that those isolates harbor several virulence factors. Accordingly, E coli may be considered as a true genital tract pathogen and its colonization entails great risk for vertical transmission to the fetus and fetal membrane.