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Utility of Chromogenic Medium in Characterization of Enterococci in Urinary Tract Infection and Phenotypic Detection of Their Virulence Factors

Introduction: Enterococci from being intestinal commensals have evolved in becoming pathogens and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality
Aims & Objectives: This study was done to speciate the uropathogenic Enterococci using the chromogenic medium and to determine the antibiogram also to detect virulence factors phenotypically.
Materials and methods: The study included a total of 30 uropathogenic Enterococci isolated over 6 months. Speciation was done using HiCrome Enterococcus faecium agar base. Antibiotic sensitivity was done by the Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion method as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Among the virulence factors hemolysin, haemagglutination, and gelatin liquefaction tests were done.
Results: Amongst the 30 enterococci isolates, 17 were Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) (56.66%) & 13 were Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) (43.33 %). 100% of the Enterococcus species were sensitive to Vancomycin & Teicoplanin. 66.67% of the Enterococci showed hemolysis, 10% haemagglutination, and 43.33% gelatinase property.
Conclusion: Most common isolated species were Enterococcus faecalis. The changing patterns of antibiotic sensitivity to Enterococci in patients with urinary tract infection possess difficulty in selection of the antibiotics. Failure to synergistic therapy is seen in cases of resistance to High-level Gentamicin. Therefore, speciation and antibiotic sensitivity patterns will help in setting up an empirical therapy and thereby help in the reduction of morbidity and mortality.

Key words: Antibiotic susceptibility, Chrome agar, Enterococcus species, virulence factors.