Escherichia coli urinary tract infections: Host age-related differences in bacterial virulence factors and antimicrobial susceptibility

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are one of the most common outpatient bacterial infections. Although bacterial and host factors are reported to be associated with UTI pathogenesis, little is known about the host age-related differences in bacterial virulence factors and antimicrobial susceptibility. Methods: PCRs were carried out to detect K1 capsule antigen, 15 virulence factors, and phylogenetic groups in E. coli isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility of selected agents was determined by the disk diffusion method. Isolates were divided into 6 groups based on their host age. Results: The results showed that virulence factors PapGII, PapGIII, Cnf1, Aer, Usp, Iha, OmpT, HlyA, and Sat, had highest frequencies in the host age group 0–3. Phylogenetic group B2 dominated in our isolates (59.6%) followed by group D (20.7%). In addition, 77.4% of strains isolated from 0 to 3 age group belonged to phylogenetic group B2. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that E. coli strains isolated were significantly more resistant to antimicrobial agents as host age increased. Phylogenetic group B2 isolates were more susceptible to antimicrobial agents, compared to A, B1, and D isolates. Conclusion: We found E. coli isolated from elders were more resistant to antimicrobial agents and had less virulence factors.