Prevalence of quinolone resistant gene qep in uropathogenic escherechia coli isolates from female patient samples at the Microbiology Laboratory Makerere University College of Health Sciences

Abstract

Background

Drug resistant Escherichia coli (E Coli) is the leading cause of community and hospital acquired urinary tract infections affecting approximate 150 million people each year worldwide. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains accounts for the main causative agents, this increase in prevalence is attributed to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of quinolone resistant genes qep among Escherichia coli isolates obtained from female patients at the microbiology laboratory Makerere University college of Health Sciences. Two mechanisms of quinolone resistance have been established: 1) alterations in the targets of quinolones and decreasing drug accumulation inside cells through membrane impermeability or an over expression of efflux pump. 2) Mutations in specific domains of qep causing variations in single amino acid of either gyrase or topoisomerase IV leading to resistance to quinolones. Methods and materials The was a cross sectional study carried out on isolated E coli isolates from female samples stored in Makerere university microbiology laboratory and known to have quinolone resistance. From the archived samples of E coli, DNA extraction was done, polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis. Outcomes 21 isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid were identified. The highest rates of antibiotic resistance were obtained for nalidixic acid (100%), ciprofloxacin (80%). Of the 21 quinolone-resistant strains, 01 (7.1%) isolates harbored qep genes.

Conclusion The findings in this study suggest a possible resistance to quinolones which is of high interest for better management of patients and control of antimicrobial resistance in Uganda. Although it’s not sufficient enough to make treatment recommendations.