Detection of Siderophore production in Uropathogenic Escherichia.coli in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Infection of the urinary tract is a common observation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. UTI can be a severe complication in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to determine siderophore production as a virulence factor in Escherichia.coli, commonly responsible for UTI.

The study was conducted at the postgraduate department of Botany (Microbiology Unit) of St. Josephs College PG & research center Bangalore India between January 2010-February 2011. Midstream urine from diabetic patients was collected and E.coli was isolated and identified using standard microbiology protocols Growth was examined after 24 hours of incubation at 37⁰c. Colonies more than 10⁵cfu/ml were considered significant for UTI. Detection of siderophores was performed using Chrome Azurol Assay (CAS)

Siderophore production was observed in 190(95%) of E.coli isolates and one of the 20 (5%) among controls.

Iron acquisition or siderophores are a major virulence factor necessary for Uropathogenic E.coli in the pathogenesis of UTI in diabetic patients. CAS assay is the most efficient method for the detection of siderophores.