Genomic comparison among recurrent and sporadic urinary tract infection with ESBL-producing E. col

In an earlier study (Lindblom., 2020), researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of sequence type 131 (ST131) and its Clade C2 on the potential risk of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E. coli). However, the findings revealed a significant difference (in the dominance of Clade C2 among isolates from patients with recurrent UTIs (RUTIs) compared to those with sporadic UTIs (SUTIs). As a result, this has made it an interest subject in order to determine if specific genomic traits are associated with E. coli isolates causing RUTIs. Therefore, the current study aimed to understand the E. coli genomic diversity by which each of the isolates may have specialized. Since, E. coli is a very versatile organism, comparison between the ST131 subclade C2 isolates from 14 patients with RUTI to those from 14 patients with SUTI performed by whole genome sequencing to depict a more complete picture of the ESBL-E. coli genomic characteristics. Despite extensive whole genome analyses from different points of view consisting virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, pan-genome and SNPs analyses, the results showed no genetic differences between isolates of two groups and the increased risk of recurrences seen with isolates from RUTI patients could not be explained by bacterial genetic diversity. In conclusion, in addition to the comparative genomic analysis performed, it is necessary to further investigate other factors that could contribute to the development of recurrent UTI. These include not only gene expression and phenotypic traits, but also patient and bacterial interactions. Such an approach will provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying causes of recurrent UTI.