Genotypic Characterization of Urinary Tract Infections causing bacteria isolates among Adults at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital, Kenya: Selected Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase genes and Biofilm Formation

The menace of antimicrobial resistance to public health is constantly arising globally. Many pathogenic bacteria use mechanisms such as mutations and biofilm formation, which significantly reduces efficacy of antimicrobial agents. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed at determining the prevalence of selected extended spectrum {beta}-lactamase (ES{beta}Ls) genes and analyse the possible biofilm formation abilities of the isolated bacteria causing urinary tract infection among adult patients seeking medicare at Kiambu Level 5 hospital, Kenya. The double-disk synergy test was used for phenotypic identification of ES{beta}Ls producing isolates, while microtiter plate assays with some modifications were used to test biofilm formation analysis. A total of 10 isolates were bioassayed for ES{beta}L genes presence out of 57 bacteria isolates obtained from urine samples. From this study, the blaTEM genes were found to be the most prevalent ES{beta}Ls genes (100%), followed by blaOXA and blaSHV genes at 40% and 30% respectively. In addition, the co-carriage of blaTEM and blaSHV was revealed at 50% lower than that of blaTEM + blaOXA genes at 66.7% among the study E. coli isolates. Biofilm formation finding disclosed that most of the isolates form biofilms 36 (63.2%), with Gram-negatives being the most biofilm formers 25 (69.4%) compared to the Gram-positive 11 (30.6%). E. coli 15(41.7 %), Klebsiella sp. 7(19.4%) and S. aureus 7(19.4%) were the most common biofilm formers. Further analysis showed no significant difference in biofilm formation among all tested isolates with a p-value of more than 0.05. However, overall Gram-positive isolates had a significant P-value of 0.056. Although biofilm formations impact on urinary tract infections is not fully recognized, the carriage of ES{beta}Ls resistance genes and the biofilm formation ability negatively impact effectiveness of UTI treatment. Therefore, we advocate for surveillance studies to map ES{beta}Ls distribution and biofilm formation genes among UTI etiological agents to halt UTI treatment failure.