PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF VIRULENCE FACTORS IN ENTEROCOCCI ISOLATED FROM URINE SAMPLES

Enterococcus expresses a high degree of resistance to a wide range of antibiotics. It has evolved a well-adapted mechanism by producing various virulence factors which makes eradication of bacteria difficult from the urinary tract. Drug susceptibility of 250 uropathogenic Enterococci was done. The present study determines expression of virulence factors - Caseinase, Lipase, Gelatinase, Hemolysin, DNase and Slime layer formation in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and Vancomycin Sensitive Enterococci (VSE) strains. Out of 250 uropathogenic isolates of Enterococci 37 (14.8%) were Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and 213(85.2%) of isolates were from Vancomycin Sensitive Enterococci (VSE). Males were from 134(53.6%) and females were from 116 (46.04%) isolates. Expression of virulence factors in VRE srains for Hemolysin, Gelatinase, Caseinase, DNase, Lipase, Slime Layer was 8 (21.6%), 4 (10.08%), 7 (18.9%), 2 (5.4%), 1 (2.7%), 10 (27.02%) whereas in VSE isolates expression was 32(15.02%),30(14.08%), 63(29.5%),12(5.6%), 11(5.16%), 63(29.5%) respectively. Out of total species isolated, the most common was E.faecium i.e., 121 (48.4%).The predominant virulence factors found were Caseinase, Hemolysin and Slime layer.