Russian Journal of Infection and ImmunityRussian Journal of Infection and ImmunityИнфекция и иммунитет2220-76192313-7398SPb RAACI1789010.15789/2220-7619-MIO-17890ORIGINAL ARTICLESОРИГИНАЛЬНЫЕ СТАТЬИResearch ArticleMolecular investigation of Proteus vulgaris virulence genes from asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant womenМолекулярное исследование генов вирулентности Proteus vulgaris при бессимптомной бактериурии у беременных женщинGhali JaburSanaaГали ДжабурСанаа
Iraq

PhD, Assistant Professor, Lecturer, Pathological Analysis Department, College of Science

доктор философии, преподаватель и ассистент кафедры патологического анализа научного колледжа

sanaagali12345@gmail.comUniversity of Thi-QarУниверситета Ти-Кар0506202506112025154Russian Journal of Infection and ImmunityИнфекция и иммунитет7637691203202502062025Copyright ©; 2025, Ghali Jabur S.Copyright ©; 2025, Гали Джабур С.2025Ghali Jabur S.Гали Джабур С.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0https://iimmun.ru/iimm/article/view/17890

Background. It is a well-known bacterium Proteus vulgaris that causes urinary tract infections specifically bacteriuria. This study aimed to genetically search for the role of some virulence genes in this bacterium via bacteriuria in pregnant women of the Thi-Qar Governorate of Iraq.

Materials anm methods. A mid-stream urine specimen with a total of 235 specimens was gleaned from pregnant women, which were performed in a random manner from various hospitals, when 116 cases suffered from UTI (patient group). The others (119 specimens) were collected from married women, but not pregnant women, and apparently in healthy cases (control group). MacConkey agar and blood agar were used for culturing and identification of bacteria under aerobic conditions, followed by microscopic examination, appearance description, biochemical test, API 20E analysis, and PCR analysis.

Results. Genetic analysis revealed bacteriuria in 39 (33.6%) pregnant women infected with Proteus sp., but it stooped to 3 (2.5%) in apparently healthy women (control). When phenotypically and genotypically with specific identification genes of P. vulgaris the same samples were infected with this bacterium in eight (6.8%), while it receded to 1 (0.84%) in the control. The PCR and statistical analyses demonstrated that the total existence of each study gene (ureC, mrpA, and zapA) in bacteriuria isolates of P. vulgaris was 11/9 (122.2%), 9/9 (100%) and 9/9 (100%), respectively. There was significant variation in the position of zapA on chromosomes 8/9 (88.8%) and on the plasmid that was dropped to 1/9 (11.1%).

Conclusion. The role of these bacteria is serious and significant in pathogenicity and attachment to the epithelial tissues of the urinary tract, the opportunistic nature of P. vulgaris, biofilm production, and elevated urine pH, which lead to stone production in pregnant women. PCR is the fastest and most accurate method for diagnosing P. vulgaris and its virulence genes.

Введение. Proteus vulgaris является хорошо изученной бактерией, которая вызывает инфекции мочевыводящих путей (ИМП), в частности бактериурию. Целью настоящего исследования было проведение генетической оценки роли ряда генов вирулентности Proteus vulgaris у беременных женщин с бактериурией в провинции Ти-Кар, Ирак.

Материалы и методы. Исследование включало изучение 235 образцов средней порции мочи, собранных от 116 беременных женщин с ИМП (группа пациентов) случайным образом из разных больниц. В группу контроля (119 образцов) вошли замужние, не беременные, практически здоровые женщины. Агар Макконки и кровяной агар использовались для культивирования и идентификации бактерий в аэробных условиях с последующим микроскопическим исследованием, описанием внешнего вида, проведением биохимического теста, анализа на стрипе API 20E и ПЦР.

Результаты. Генетический анализ выявил бактериурию у 39 (33,6%) беременных женщин, инфицированных Proteus sp., которая была обнаружена в 3 (2,5%) случаях у практически здоровых женщин (контроль). При фенотипическом и генотипическом исследовании с использованием специфических идентификационных генов P. vulgaris она была выявлена в тех же образцах в восьми (6,8%) и одном (0,84%) образце в группе пациентов и в контроле соответственно. ПЦР и статистический анализ показали, что общее наличие каждого изучаемого гена (ureC, mrpA и zapA) в изолятах бактериурии P. vulgaris составило 11/9 (122,2%), 9/9 (100%) и 9/9 (100%) соответственно. Отмечена достоверная вариация в положении zapA на хромосомах 8/9 (88,8%) и плазмиде, которая снизилась до 1/9 (11,1%).

Заключение. P. vulgaris играет важную роль в патогенности и прикреплении к эпителиальным тканям мочевыводящих путей, условно-патогенной активности, образовании биопленки и повышенном pH мочи, что приводит к образованию камней у беременных женщин. ПЦР является самым быстрым и точным методом диагностики P. vulgaris и его генов вирулентности.

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