Phenotypic and Genetic Diversity of Uropathogenic Enterococcus faecalis Strains Isolated in the Primorsky Region of Russia

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a topical problem of the contemporary pediatrics, pediatric nephrology, and urology. E. faecalis isolated from urine of children was the most important factor in development of UTIs at departments for newborns in Primorsky region. The variability of biochemical and fermentation activities of pathogenicity factors and resistance to antibiotics suggested a phenotypic heterogeneity of E. faecalis. It was found that uropathogenic enterococci characterized with proteolytic activity are resistant to antibacterial agents with different action mechanisms. Clinical isolates of E. faecalis contained two and more studied pathogenicity genes. Eleven variants of genes combinations, which code pathogenicity factors of E. faecalis, were identified. Uropathogenic E. faecalis strains attributed to ST6, ST40, ST179, ST774, and ST116 are resistant to four and more groups of antimicrobial agents. Our research confirmed high virulence properties of E. faecalis isolated from urine of patients with and their manifestations depending on the patient’s age. Clinically significant E. faecalis strains have a complex of virulent properties, which allow the bacteria to materialize their pathogenic potential on all stages of the inflammation process in urinary system