LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (UTIS)IN KARBALA- IRAQ

Background: While the presence of bacteria, or bacteriuria, in a freshly drawn urine sample is the most common cause of a urinary tract infection (UTI), other microorganisms including parasites are also significant uropathogens that require careful microscopic evaluation. Any area of the urinary tract may be affected by the infection, which may or may not cause symptoms. Urinary tract infections typically start as urethritis and progress to cystitis and ureteritis. Dysuria is among the symptoms that accompany cystitis. The purpose of this study was to diagnose the pathogenic bacteria that cause urinary tract infections and to determine the sensitivity and resistance of these bacteria to a particular class of antibiotics. Methods and Results: Sixty-three (63) urine samples from individuals with inflammation were collected to achieve the aims of this study. Following their transfer to the lab, urinary tract samples from both sexes were studied. After performing diagnostic tests, it emerged that the Escherichia coli bacterium ranked highest, with a proportion of (33%), and it was cultured on various culture media to diagnose the bacteria causing urinary tract infections. Proteus bacteria exhibited a high rate of resistance to cephalosporins and penicillins due to their production of lactamase B enzymes. Regarding Proteus bacteria's capacity, biofilm formation and production were detected using the tissue culture plates (TCP) technique. According to the data, 28.57% of the samples could create biofilm, whereas 42.85% of the samples showed an inadequate capacity to create a biofilm. Conclusion: Although this study highlights the high prevalence and resistance of bacterial uropathogens, comprehensive laboratory diagnosis must also consider non-bacterial etiologies, including parasitic infections, particularly when investigating cases of sterile pyuria.