NTU Undergraduates' research April 2014 - Biosciences | Page 136

Characterisation, Pathogenicity and Antimicrobial Resistance of Urinary
Isolates

KA MAN, CHAN

Abstracts. Urinary Tract infection (UTI) is the most common bacterial infections in human. UTI is the
presence of bacteria that cause infection in any structures of the urinary tract. The pathogenicity of
bacteria is determined by several virulence factors. Detecting these virulence factors can give a brief
idea on the pathogenicity of urine isolates. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat UTI. The
susceptibility of the antibiotics is a key factor for choosing the antibiotics for the patient. ESBL test,
antimicrobial susceptibility test, identification test, lecithinase test, DNase test, haemagglutination test,
capsule formation test and haemolytic ability test were performed to detect the characteristics of urine
isolates. The 22 urine isolates being tested in this study were taken from the hospital. Escherichia coli is
the major bacteria found in urine isolates. Staphylococcus xylosus, Enterobacteria, Serratia marcescens,
Staphylococcus haemolytic and Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp pneumonia were also found in urine isolates.
Over 70% samples were resistant to Amoxicillin but they are totally susceptible to
Piperacillin/tazobactam. No ESBL production was detected. Most of the samples were with pili. Two
Enterobacteria have haemolytic ability. Two Staphylococcus spp. can produce DNase. None of the
samples can produce lecithinase and form capsule. To conclude, only 2 to 3 bacteria contain more than
two virulence factors. Present of pili is the major factor for causing UTI. Most of the bacteria develop 10%
resistant towards the antimicrobial agents. Most antibiotics being tested are suitable for UTI.
Piperacillin/tazobactam is the most effective one.

1