Molecular Characterizations of the Coagulase-Negative <i>Staphylococci</i> Species Causing Urinary Tract Infection in Tanzania: A Laboratory-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Shukrani Phillip,
Martha F. Mushi,
Arun Gonzales Decano,
Jeremiah Seni,
Blandina T. Mmbaga,
Happiness Kumburu,
Eveline T. Konje,
Joseph R. Mwanga,
Benson R. Kidenya,
Betrand Msemwa,
Stephen Gillespie,
Antonio Maldonado-Barragan,
Alison Sandeman,
Wilber Sabiti,
Mathew T. G. Holden,
Stephen E. Mshana
Affiliations
Shukrani Phillip
Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Ruaha Catholic University, Iringa P.O. Box 774, Tanzania
Martha F. Mushi
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania
Arun Gonzales Decano
School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AJ, UK
Jeremiah Seni
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania
Blandina T. Mmbaga
Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi P.O. Box 2236, Tanzania
Happiness Kumburu
Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi P.O. Box 2236, Tanzania
Eveline T. Konje
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Bugando, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania
Joseph R. Mwanga
School of Public Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Bugando, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania
Benson R. Kidenya
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania
Betrand Msemwa
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania
Stephen Gillespie
School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AJ, UK
Antonio Maldonado-Barragan
School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AJ, UK
Alison Sandeman
School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AJ, UK
Wilber Sabiti
School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AJ, UK
Mathew T. G. Holden
School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AJ, UK
Stephen E. Mshana
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania
Background: There is a growing body of evidence on the potential involvement of coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) in causing urinary tract infections (UTIs). The aim of this study was to delineate virulence potential, antimicrobial resistance genes, and sequence types of CoNS isolated from patients with UTI symptoms and pyuria in Tanzania. Methods: CoNS from patients with UTI symptoms and more than 125 leucocytes/μL were retrieved, subcultured, and whole-genome sequenced. Results: Out of 65 CoNS isolates, 8 species of CoNS were identified; Staphylococcus haemolyticus, n = 27 (41.5%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis, n = 24 (36.9%), were predominant. The majority of S. haemolyticus were sequence type (ST) 30, with 8 new ST138-145 reported, while the majority of S. epidermidis were typed as ST490 with 7 new ST1184-1190 reported. Sixty isolates (92.3%) had either one or multiple antimicrobial resistance genes. The most frequently detected resistance genes were 53 (21%) dfrG, 32 (12.9%) blaZ, and 26 (10.5%) mecA genes conferring resistance to trimethoprim, penicillin, and methicillin, respectively. Out of 65 isolates, 59 (90.8%) had virulence genes associated with UTI, with a predominance of the icaC 47 (46.5%) and icaA 14 (13.9%) genes. Conclusion:S. haemolyticus and S. epidermidis harboring icaC, dfrG, blaZ, and mecA genes were the predominant CoNS causing UTI in Tanzania. Laboratories should carefully interpret the significant bacteriuria due to CoNS in relation to UTI symptoms and pyuria before labeling them as contaminants. Follow-up studies to document the outcome of the treated patients is needed to add more evidence that CoNS are UTI pathogens.
