Escherichia coli bacteriuria in pregnant women in Ghana: antibiotic resistance patterns and virulence factors

OBJECTIVES: The relevance of Escherichia coli associated bacteriuria infection in pregnant women is poorly understood, despite these strains sharing a similar virulence profile with other pathogenic E. coli causing severe obstetric and neonatal infections. We characterized and determined the antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance genes and virulence profiles of 82 E. coli isolates associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria in some pregnant in Ghana from February to August 2016 using Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion and polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: High levels of antimicrobial resistance were observed to ampicillin (79.3%), tetracycline (70.7%) and cotrimoxazole (59.8%), except for cefuroxime (32.9%). Resistance genes analyses revealed 58.5% were positive for Bla(TEM) and 7.3% for aph(3)-Ia(aphA2). Virulence factors (VFs) was more widespread in pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters than 1st trimester. VFs relating to adhesion (papC and iha), Protectins (traT), aerobactin acquisition (iutA) and iron acquisition systems (fyuA and irp2) were more prevalent in the resistant E. coli isolates. This study provides evidence for a link in bacteriuria and transmission of extra-intestinal E. coli in pregnant women to cause multi-resistant obstetric or neonatal infections. Considering the involvement of extra-intestinal E. coli in infections, results are helpful to develop strategies to prevent maternal and/ neonatal infections. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3989-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.