Multidrug resistance among uropathogenic clonal group A E. Coli isolates from Pakistani women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

OBJECTIVE: Multi-drug resistance (MDR) has notably increased in community acquired uropathogens causing urinary tract infections (UTIs), predominantly Escherichia coli. Uropathogenic E. coli causes 80% of uncomplicated community acquired UTIs, particularly in pre-menopausal women. Considering this high prevalence and the potential to spread antimicrobial resistant genes, the current study was conducted to investigate the presence of clinically important strains of E. coli in Pakistani women having uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis. Women belonging to low-income groups were exclusively included in the study. Seventy-four isolates from urine samples were processed, phylotyped, and screened for the presence of two Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) particularly associated with a clinically important clonal group A of E. coli (CgA) followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing and genome sequence analysis. RESULTS: Phylogroup B2 was most prevalent in patients and 44% of isolates were positive for the presence of CgA specific SNPs in Fumarate hydratase and DNA gyrase subunit B genes. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed widespread resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production. The infection analysis revealed the phylogroup B2 to be more pathogenic as compared to the other groups. The genome sequence of E. coli strain U17 revealed genes encoding virulence, multidrug resistance, and host colonization mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Our research findings not only validate the significant occurrence of multidrug-resistant clonal group A E. coli (CgA) in premenopausal Pakistani women suffering from cystitis and pyelonephritis but also reveal the presence of genes associated withvirulence, and drug efflux pumps. The detection of highly pathogenic, antimicrobial-resistant phylogroup B2 and CgA E. coli strains is likely to help in understanding the epidemiology of the pathogen and may ultimately help to reduce the impact of these strains on human health. Furthermore, the findings of this study will particularly help to reduce the prevalence of uncomplicated UTIs and the cost associated with their treatment in women belonging to low-income groups.

Pathogenic microbe detection in placental tissues supports placental pathobiome association with preterm birth risk in Pakistani women: A brief snapshot.

Preterm birth (PTB) poses great risk to neonatal health in Pakistan with few tertiary health care facilities. Role of intrauterine microbiome in maintaining healthy pregnancy has been highlighted. However, there is ongoing debate whether a true placental microbiome exist. We analyzed placental and vaginal microbiome through V3-V4 16srRNA sequencing and observed increased abundance of proteobacteria, with concomitant decline in the firmicutes population in preterm vagina. Simplistic placental microflora included many environmental microbes with PTB placenta carrying pathogenic microbes like ureaplasma and mycoplasma species. We observed contribution of environmental, vaginal and skin contamination in term versus pathobiome signatures in preterm placenta.

Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern in E. coli Isolated from Placental Tissues of Pregnant Women in Low-Socioeconomic Setting of Pakistan.

Infections during pregnancy can culminate in adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB). Pakistan is among the top ten nations with high PTB-associated neonatal mortality rates, where access to prenatal as well as neonatal care is only afforded by the privileged few. Societal stigma further discourages women seeking healthcare for minor infections. Microbial pathogens associated with genitourinary infections can lead to gestational complications culminating in earlier onset of labor. In this study, association of Escherichia coli (E. coli) with PTB in Pakistani women of low-socioeconomic status is examined. 57 paired vaginal swabs and placenta samples from mothers with full term and preterm deliveries were collected and processed for isolation and molecular characterization of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). ExPEC isolated from vaginal swabs and placenta showed phylotype B2 being most prevalent (Vagina n = 3 (9), 33%) (Placenta n = 4 (12), 33%) in preterm cases followed by phylotype B1 (Vagina n = 2 (9), 22%) (Placenta n = 3 (12), 25%) and untypeable strains. Antibiotic susceptibility profiling showed a large percentage of resistant isolates to multiple antibiotics, including carbapenem and included extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. Our study is the first to report different phylotypes of E. coli from placental tissues in preterm deliveries which may be a cause for concern for maternal and neonatal health. ExPEC from vaginal swabs and placental of females delivering preterm shows the pathogenic phylotype B2 dominance with a large percentage of isolates resistant to multiple antibiotics, including carbapenem and included ESBL producers. The placental isolates may indicate ascending infection from vagina or urinary tract which may lead to preterm birth.

Vaginal microbiome: normalcy vs dysbiosis.

It has been long understood that the vaginal microflora is crucial in maintaining a normal physiological environment for the host and its involvement is deemed indispensable for reproductive success. A global concept of normalcy vs. dysbiosis of vaginal microbiome is debatable as women of different races have a unique vaginal microflora with regional variations. Vaginal microflora is a dynamic microenvironment affected by gestational status, menstrual cycle, sexual activity, age, and contraceptive use. Normal vaginal flora is dominated by lactobacilli especially in women of European descent vs. African American women. These microbes confer the host vagina protection from potentially pathogenic microbes that may lead to urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases. Changes in the vaginal microbiota including reduced lactobacilli abundance and increased facultative and anaerobic organism populations result in bacterial vaginosis, that predisposes the host to several conditions like low birth weight and increased risk of contracting bacterial infections. On the other hand, the vaginal microbiome is also reshaped during pregnancy, with less microbial diversity with a dominance of Lactobacillus species. However, an altered vaginal microbiota with low lactobacilli abundance especially during pregnancy may result in induction of excessive inflammation and pre-term labor. Since the vaginal microbiome plays an important role during embryo implantation, it is not surprising that bacterial vaginosis is more common in infertile women and associated with reduced rates of conception. Probiotic has great success in treating bacterial vaginosis and restoring the normal microbiome in recent. This report, reviewed the relationships between the vaginal microbiome and women's reproductive health.