Investigation of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Strains in Children with Urinary Tract Infection in Karaj City

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most common bacterial infections of childhood. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains, with the ability to successfully colonize the urinary tract, are recognized as the main cause of UTI. The aim of this study is to investigate UPEC strains in children with UTI in Karaj city during 1400-1401.

In current study, 146 UPEC isolates were collected from children with UTI referred to Karaj Hospitals, Alborz province during January to August 2022. The identification of isolates as UPEC strains was confirmed using standard microbiological methods and biochemical tests. PCR method and amplification of 16SrRNA gene were used for confirmation of diagnosis. Statistical data analysis was performed with SPSS software version 23. Statistical comparison between groups was done using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

The results showed that out of 146 children suffering from urinary tract infections caused by UPEC strains during the study period, 30 (20.5%) were male and 116 (79.5%) were female. In addition, 16 (11.0%) had underlying kidney disease and 130 (89.0%) had no underlying kidney disease.

The present study showed that urinary infection with UPEC strains constitutes more than half of the cases of UTIs in children over one-year-old in Alborz province. In addition, the infection is almost 3.9-times more in girls over one year old than in boys. Although male children with underlying kidney disease are more likely to get UTI with the UPEC strains than female children with underlying kidney disease.