Study Prevalence of Verotoxigenic E.coli Isolated from Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in an Iranian Children Hospital

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is one of the most important diseases in infants and children. If there would not be any useful diagnosis and treatment it may be resulted in diseases such as acute renal failure, thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of verotoxigenic E.coli isolates in urine of children with (UTIs) in Mofid children Hospital. METHODS: During one year from September 2008 to august 2009, urine specimens were taken from children who suspected to UTI admitted to Mofid Children Hospital. E.coli strains that indicated beta hemolytic on sheep blood agar, negative sorbitol fermentation on SMAC (sorbitol macconky agar) and negative motility on SIM were tested by PCR and serologic (VITEC-RPLA kit) methods for detecting toxin genes and production of toxin, respectively. RESULTS: Among 12572 urine specimens were taken from children admitted to Mofid hospital, we isolated 378 E.coli from urine samples which only 9 isolates were EHEC. Only five EHEC strains (55%) which produced vtx genes, were detected by serologic and PCR methods. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of urinary infections caused by EHEC strains is very significant because it causes aggravating pathologic effects. Thus we suggest rapid method for identification of this bacteria and proper treatment to Inhibition of unwanted complications.