2026-08

Biological and Biomedical Journal (Issue : 2) (Volume : 4)

Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as a significant etiological agent of urinary tract infections and is increasingly linked to multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes, which limit therapeutic options in both healthcare and community settings. Resistance mechanisms such as efflux pumps and porin alterations reduce intracellular antibiotic accumulation and enhance bacterial survival. Understanding the genetic determinants underlying these processes is therefore crucial for understanding resistance dissemination and improving treatment strategies. This study investigated efflux pump- and porin-associated genes in MDR K. pneumoniae isolated from urinary tract infection cases. Over six months, 150 urine samples were collected from patients attending two hospitals in Zakho City, Iraq. Identification of isolates was carried out using conventional biochemical methods and phenotypic characterization and confirmed using the VITEK® 2 Compact system. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. PCR analysis was performed to detect efflux pump genes (acrAB, tolC) and porin-associated genes (ompK35, ompK36). Of the total samples, 60 isolates (40%) were confirmed as K. pneumoniae. A marked predominance was observed among female patients (88.3%) compared with males (11.7%). Imipenem showed complete effectiveness (100% susceptibility), whereas resistance was most frequently observed against ampicillin and amoxicillin (98.3%). Multidrug resistance was identified in 66.7% of isolates. Molecular screening revealed the universal presence of acrAB and tolC, alongside a high frequency of ompK35 and ompK36. The findings demonstrate widespread distribution of efflux pump- and porin-related genes among MDR K. pneumoniae, emphasizing the importance of continuous molecular surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship to control the spread of resistant strains.

2025-07

Biological and Biomedical Journal (Issue : 2) (Volume : 3)

Bacterial infection especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the leading cause of complications acquired from injuries that burn patients develop. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the rate of infection in burn wounds caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and to estimate the prevalence of some virulence genes. A total of 110 burn samples were collected from Burn and Plastic Surgery Hospital in Duhok City, Iraq. Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were identified using phenotypic and conventional biochemical tests and confirmed by the amplification of a species specific primer. The antibiotics susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion method and Polymerase chain reaction was used for the detection of the two virulence genes Opr1 and OprD. Out of the 110 tested samples from burn infection 71 were found to be positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a rate of (64.54%). Females showed higher infection rates than males (59.15% vs 40.84%). The most effective antibiotic tested was found to be Colistin with a 100% rate while the highest level of resistant was detected with Piperacillin at a rate of (98.59%). The most common virulence gene encountered was OprD with a rate of (61.11%) followed by Opr1 at a rate of (57.4%). It is recommended that an antibiotic susceptibility test to be performed prior to therapy to improve the treatment options for patients.

2025-03

JOURNAL OF LIFE AND BIO-SCIENCES RESEARCH (Issue : 01) (Volume : 6)

The family Enterobacteriaceae is the leading cause of both hospital- and community-acquired urinary tract infections. The purpose of this study was to estimate the rate of infection with Enterobacteriaceae among outpatients suffering from UTIs at two major hospitals in Zakho city. This study was conducted over the period of 5 months from the 1st of September 2021 till the end of January 2022, during this period a total of 454 midstream urine samples were collected from outpatients with UTIs of both genders and different ages (≤ one year to > 50 years). The isolated enterobacterial species were identified according to their biochemical characteristics using conventional standard methods. The result showed that 52.64% (239/454) of the tested urine samples were infected with species of Enterobacteriaceae. The most commonly detected species with their rates of infections were: Escherichia coli (69.46 %) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (27.20 %). In females, the overall rate of infection was higher over all ages than in males (85.36% vs 14.64%) with the highest rate being among the ages ≤1-10 and >10-20 years, which was 91.67%. Married patients of both genders showed a slightly higher rate than single ones (53.62% vs 51.12%), and married women showed a higher rate than single ones (86.49% vs 83.52%). Urban residents had a higher infection rate than those living in camps and rural areas (53.85%, 48.48%, and 45.45%), respectively. This study concluded that members of Enterobacteriaceae are the major causative agents of UTIs, with E. coli being the predominant isolated bacterial species. The rate of infection was higher in females, married patients and urban residents.

2022-08

Academic Journal of Nawroz University (AJNU) (Issue : 3) (Volume : 11)

The prevalence of ESBLs producing Enterobacteriaceae are increasing locally and globally. This study aimed to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility profile of Enterobacteriaceae isolates causing urinary tract infection and to assess the prevalence of ESBL genes among isolates. A total of 454 urine specimens were collected from outpatients with UTIs from two major hospitals in Zakho city, the Zakho General hospital and Emergency hospital. The enterobacterial isolates were identified using phenotypic and conventional biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated organisms was determined using the disk diffusion method, and ESBL production was detected by a double-disk synergy test. The suspected ESBL producers were further confirmed by the amplification of specific primers using PCR assay. Out of 454 specimens, 239 enterobacterial isolates were identified. The most common detected isolates and their rates were: Escherichia coli (65.20 %) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.49 %). Imipenem was the most effective antibiotic used while; amoxicillin and ampicillin were the most resistant. The highest level of ESBL production was determined among E. coli isolates (66.3 %) followed by K. pneumoniae (30.43%). The predominant detected genes were both CTX-M and SHV equally with a rate of 90.16% followed by TEM (34.43%). In conclusion, members of Enterobacteriaceae particularly, E. coli and K. pneumoniae are the predominant species causing UTIs. Imipenem was the most effective antibiotic. ESBL producers were high among isolates that were mediated by CTX-M, SHV, and less TEM genes due to the absence of restrictions on antibiotic uses, in addition to their abuse and overuse.

2021-06

Baghdad Science Journal (Issue : 2) (Volume : 18)

Pigeons have accompanied humans since ancient time because they are used as a source of food, pets, hobby, and religious symbols. Pigeons have shown high prevalence rate of infection with gastrointestinal helminths and protozoan. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of parasitic infections in the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) from October, 2017 to April, 2018, purchased from bird market of Zakho City, Kurdistan region. The samples were taken from 50 adult pigeons (28 males and 22 females). The birds were transferred to Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Zakho University. In the laboratory, each bird was sacrificed and immediately the feather and skin of under wings, chest and the rest of the body was examined for ectoparasites. The collected ectoparasites were preserved in 70% alcohol for further study. The sacrificed birds were dissected and their intestine and contained were examined for the presence of parasites. The results revealed a total rate of 76% of infection with ectoparasites, which included three species of lice, namely: Columbicola columbae (56%), Companulotes compar (36%) and Hohorstiella lata (10%). Regarding helminths, cestodes were the only helminths found in this study with a rate of 16% (8/50). Three species of cestodes were recorded, they included: Raillietina cesticillus(14%), Raillietina echinobothrida(4%) and Choanotaenia infundibulum (2%). Further studies are required to evaluate the effect of the recovered parasites on this host and their transmission to other poultry flocks and human