Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent bacterial infections affecting humans. It occurs when pathogenic microorganisms invade any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. UTIs are mainly caused by bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli. Other gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria can also be involved in this study aimed to investigate the relationship between urinary tract infections and multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens. A total of 350 urine samples were collected from males and females aged 10-75 years at Al-Rifae General Hospital in Thi-Qar province, Southern Iraq, during the period from July 2022 to January 2023. All bacterial isolates were identified using conventional biochemical tests and the VITEK-2 system, followed by confirmation using the 16S rRNA gene in addition, resistance genes were detected by PCR using bacterial colonies. Out of the 350 urine samples, 150 samples (42,9%) showed positive bacterial growth, whereas 200 samples (57,1%) were culture negative. Among 150 positive bacterial growth samples, 100 isolates were identified as multidrug-resistant (MDR). Analysis of MDR bacterial pathogens demonstrated that E.coli constituted the highest proportion of isolates (44%), followed by S.aureus (33%), P.mirabilis (13%), and K.pneumoniae (10%). Genotypic assessment revealed a high distribution of β-lactamase-encoding genes among gram-negative isolates. The blaCTX-M gene was detected in the majority of E.coli isolates (81,8%) and in all K.pneumoniae isolates, whereas a lower frequency was observed in P.mirabilis (30,8%). Similarly, blaSHV was identified in 29,5% of E.coli isolates and was universally present in K.pneumoniae and P.mirabilis. The blaAmpC gene exhibited frequencies of 90,9%, 100%, and 30,8% in E.coli, K.pneumoniae, and P.mirabilis, respectively. Notably, blaTEM was detected in every gram-negative isolate examined among S.aureus isolates, complete detection (100%) of mecA, ermA, and ermC genes was recorded.
DOI: 10.59324/ejeba.2026.3(3).22
Publication Date: 2026-06-13