FIGURE 4 - uploaded by Melanie M Pearson
Content may be subject to copyright.
P. mirabilis switches between swimming and swarming forms. On the left is a transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of broth-cultured, vegetative cells displaying peritrichous flagella. On the right is a TEM of differentiated swarm cells. Bundles of flagella are visible. doi:10.1128/microbiolspec.UTI-0017-2013.f4
Source publication
Proteus mirabilis and Urinary Tract Infections, Page 1 of 2
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative bacterium and is well known for its ability to robustly swarm across surfaces in a striking bulls’-eye pattern. Clinically, this organism is most frequently a pathogen of the urinary tract, particularly in patients undergoing long-term cathet...
Similar publications
Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). In this study, we verified the effectiveness of amikacin or gentamicin and ascorbic acid (AA) co-therapy in eliminating uropathogenic cells, as well as searched for the molecular basis of AA activity by applying chromatographic and fluorescent techniques....
Proteus mirabilis, an opportunistic pathogen of the urinary tract, is known for its dimorphism and mobility. A connection of lipid alterations, induced by the rods elongation process, with enhanced pathogenicity of long-form morphotype for the development of urinary tract infections, seems highly probable. Therefore, research on the adjustment in t...
Bacterial prostatitis is believed to be the leading cause of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in men under 50 years of age and occurs both as an acute febrile disease responsive to antibiotics and as a chronic infection that is often unresponsive to antibiotic treatment. Proteus mirabilis is more commonly associated with UTIs in these abno...
Citations
... In liquid environments, P. mirabilis typically exhibits a short rod shape with a few peritrichous flagella. However, when grown on nutrientrich solid surfaces, P. mirabilis undergoes differentiation into elongated non-septate polyploid cells, often ranging from 20-80 μm in length, though occasionally exceeding 100 μm, and bearing hundreds to thousands of flagella (Schaffer & Pearson, 2015). ...
UTIs, which are also commonly referred to as urinary tract infections, are a common and sometimes reoccurring infection that can range from happening on their own to posing a severe risk to the health of the patient. This condition is characterized by the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the urinary canal or strictures. This is the defining characteristic of the disorder. Not only is this a widespread source of illness and death, but it is also a substantial contributor to the development of antibiotic resistance. It is estimated that Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae are the most common forms of pathogenic bacteria that are responsible for urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections are a public health concern that can be caused by so many different types of bacteria that are considered to be harmful. Some individuals are of the opinion that the majority of the financial burden that these diseases generate can be attributed to the high incidence rates and novel drug resistance that have been created by uropathogenic bacteria. This is a hypothesis that has been proposed by someone.
... 10 Salmonella is another prominent pathogenic member of Enterobacteriaceae that causes diarrhea, typhoid, paratyphoid, salmonellosis, and gastroenteritis etc. 11 Members of the genus Proteus like P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris cause UTIs and asymptomatic bacteriuria. 12,13 Apart from these pathogens, K. pneumoniae is another important pathogen of Enterobacteriaceae which is also an opportunistic pathogen that is responsible for nosocomial respiratory and urinary tract infections. [14][15][16] Also, K. pneumoniae is the second most frequent bacteria to cause UTIs and bacteremia. ...
Enterobacteriaceae pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Proteus sp., and Klebsiella pneumoniae cause a wide range of gastrointestinal and other mucosal infections. These bacteria acquire antibiotic resistance very quickly and evolve into multi-drug resistant strains thereby making the treatment very difficult. The outer membrane proteins (OMPs) in Enterobacteriaceae are potential vaccine candidates owing for their high immunogenicity and amino acid conservation. The OmpA is one such protein which need to be investigated for the development of a potential subunit vaccine against multiple infections casued by the pathogens of Enterobacteriaceae. To investigate this, we expressed and purified the highly conserved OmpA of S. typhimurium and studied the antibody mediated cross reactivity with the other Enterobacteriaceae pathogens. This was validated through dot ELISA performed with the hyperimmune sera raised against rOmpA of S. typhimurium. We further analyzed the sequence of OmpA protein and clearly understood that the B-cell epitopes in the protein are highly conserved are responsible for cross reactivity among the Enterobacteriaceae pathogens. This work led to findings that provide strong evidence for the application of OmpA in broad-spectrum subunit vaccine against enteric infections.
... This initiates a whole series of chemical reactions, which in turn lead to the crystallization of struvite and the formation of PCaAP, which is accompanied by an increase in pH. 5 For PCaAP, the pH value at which crystallization begins is 6.2, in the case of struvite, it is 7.2. 6 The exact course of chemical reactions can be found in the literature (e.g. Refs 9 -14 ). ...
Taking into account that in recent decades there has been an increase in the incidence of urinary stones, especially in highly developed countries, from a wide range of potentially harmful substances commonly available in such countries, we chose zinc for the research presented in this article, which is classified by some sources as a heavy metal. In this article, we present the results of research on the influence of Zn2+ ion on the nucleation and growth of struvite crystals—the main component of infection urinary stones. The tests were carried out in an artificial urine environment with and without the presence of Proteus mirabilis bacteria. In the latter case, the activity of bacterial urease was simulated chemically, by systematic addition of an aqueous ammonia solution. The obtained results indicate that Zn2+ ions compete with Mg2+ ions, which leads to the gradual replacement of Mg2+ ions in the struvite crystal lattice with Zn2+ ions to some extent. This means co-precipitation of Mg-struvite (MgNH4PO4 ∙ 6H2O) and Znx-struvite (Mg1-xZnxNH4PO4·6H2O). Speciation analysis of chemical complexes showed that Znx-struvite precipitates at slightly lower pH values than Mg-struvite. This means that Zn2+ ions shift the nucleation point of crystalline solids towards a lower pH. Additionally, the conducted research shows that Zn2+ ions, in the range of tested concentrations, does not have a toxic effect on bacteria; on the contrary, it has a positive effect on cellular metabolism, enabling bacteria to develop better. It means that Zn2+ ions in artificial urine, in vitro, slightly increase the risk of developing infection urinary stones.
... P. mirabilis is one of the most significant pathogens responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in health care settings, with a suspected origin of the GI tract [1,2]. P. mirabilis is also responsible for various clinical conditions, including respiratory tract infections, neonatal meningoencephalitis, empyema, and osteomyelitis [3]. Several broad-spectrum antibiotic agents, such as ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), piperacillin-tazobactam, and carbapenems, are important treatment options for clinical P. mirabilis infections. ...
Proteus mirabilis is a commensal bacterium dwelling in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of humans and animals. Although New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 (NDM-1) producing P. mirabilis is emerging as a threat, its epidemiology in our society remains largely unknown. LHPm1, the first P. mirabilis isolate harboring NDM-1, was detected from a companion dog that resides with a human owner. The whole-genome study revealed 20 different antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes against various classes of antimicrobial agents, which corresponded to the MIC results. Genomic regions, including MDR genes, were identified with multiple variations and visualized in a comparative manner. In the whole-genome epidemiological analysis, multiple phylogroups were identified, revealing the genetic relationship of LHPm1 with other P. mirabilis strains carrying various AMR genes. These genetic findings offer comprehensive insights into NDM-1-producing P. mirabilis , underscoring the need for urgent control measures and surveillance programs using a “one health approach”.
... (1,(3)(4)(5)(6) First suspicions of bacteria being causative agents of the diseases At the beginning of the 20th century, a possible correlation between infection and the formation of certain calculi in the urinary tract was established. (8,9) This correlation was much stronger if the microorganism involved had the capacity to hydrolyze urea. "Bacillus proteus urinae" was already described as having this property and in 1901 five cases of pyelonephritis with struvite incrustations were published; (8) "B. ...
... (8,9) This correlation was much stronger if the microorganism involved had the capacity to hydrolyze urea. "Bacillus proteus urinae" was already described as having this property and in 1901 five cases of pyelonephritis with struvite incrustations were published; (8) "B. Proteus" was isolated in three cases, and staphylococci in the remaining two. ...
Introduction: Encrusted cystitis and pyelitis share many similarities regarding etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment. These processes usually occur on previously injured urological tissue with the participation of an infection by urease-producing bacteria. At present Corynebacterium urealyticum, a highly antibiotic-resistant bacteria, appears to be the pathogen most often involved in these processes. In this review we analyze the history of these diseases with special emphasis on the scientific advances of the last century. We also review the role of urease and bacterial infection as well as a brief update on the epidemiological, histopathological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. Relevance: The importance and severity of these pathologies that are frequently underdiagnosed and difficult to treat are stressed. Conclusions: The clinical history, exploratory and analytical data, which highlight alkaline urine, sometimes with an ammoniacal odor, pyuria, hematuria and the presence of magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals, should alert the urologist to the existence of an encrusting uropathy. Simple radiology, ultrasound, computed tomography and endoscopic visualization of the lesions confirm the diagnosis. Treatment generally requires surgery, use of antibiotics, urinary acidifiers and bacterial urease inhibitors. Keywords: cystitis, pyelitis, encrustations, infection
... The importance of this capsular polysaccharide is underscored by the determination of its tetrasaccharide repeat structure, which significantly contributes to the overall virulence of P. mirabilis (Allison et al., 1994). Another key player in cell morphology and swarming differentiation is the curved cell morphology gene, ccmA (PMI1961) (Schaffer and Pearson, 2015). Transposon mutants with motility and elongation-positive but swarmingdeficient phenotypes have been localized to ccmA. ...
... Overexpression of ccmA results in cells with ellipsoidal or spherical shapes, suggesting its role in maintaining linearity during swarm cell elongation. As an integral membrane protein, ccmA's expression increases during swarming differentiation, and it is implicated in organizing peptidoglycan assembly Schaffer and Pearson, 2015). Furthermore, a regulatory link between LPS biosynthesis and swarming differentiation is established (Schaffer and Pearson, 2015). ...
... As an integral membrane protein, ccmA's expression increases during swarming differentiation, and it is implicated in organizing peptidoglycan assembly Schaffer and Pearson, 2015). Furthermore, a regulatory link between LPS biosynthesis and swarming differentiation is established (Schaffer and Pearson, 2015). Mutations in LPS biosynthesis genes; rcsB or rcsC, and to a lesser extent rcsF, suppresses the swarming deficiency in the waaL mutants. ...
Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative bacterium with exclusive molecular and biological features. It is a versatile pathogen acclaimed for its distinct urease production, swarming behavior, and rapid multicellular activity. Clinically, P. mirabilis is a frequent pathogen of the human urinary system where it causes urinary tract infections (UTIs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). This review explores the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and treatment of P. mirabilis infections, emphasizing its association with UTIs. The bacterium’s genome analysis revealed the presence of resistance genes against commonly used antibiotics, an antibiotic-resistant phenotype that poses a serious clinical challenge. Particularly, the emergence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases resistant P. mirabilis strains. On a molecular level, P. mirabilis possesses a wide array of virulence factors including the production of fimbriae, urease, hemolysins, metallophores, and biofilm formation. This review thoroughly tackles a substantial gap in understanding the role of metallophores in shaping the virulence factors of P. mirabilis virulence. Siderophores, iron metal chelating and transporting metallophores, particularly contribute to the complex pathogenic strategies, displaying a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
... Proteus mirabilis is a common component of the UT microbiota in patients with urinary catheters [51]. Proteus mirabilis adheres to the bladder using flagella and adhesive mannose-resistant Proteus-like (MR/P) fimbriae [52]. In the meantime, Proteus mirabilis produces large amounts of urease, an enzyme that may increase urine's pH and hydrolyze urea to ammonia. ...
One of the common illnesses that affect women’s physical and mental health is urinary tract infection (UTI). The disappointing results of empirical anti-infective treatment and the lengthy time required for urine bacterial culture are two issues. Antibiotic misuse is common, especially in females who experience recurrent UTI (rUTI). This leads to a higher prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the microorganisms that cause the infection. Antibiotic therapy will face major challenges in the future, prompting clinicians to update their practices. New testing techniques are making the potential association between the urogenital microbiota and UTIs increasingly apparent. Monitoring changes in female urinary tract (UT) microbiota, as well as metabolites, may be useful in exploring newer preventive treatments for UTIs. This review focuses on advances in urogenital microbiology and organismal metabolites relevant to the identification and handling of UTIs in an attempt to provide novel methods for the identification and management of infections of the UT. Particular attention is paid to the microbiota and metabolites in the patient’s urine in relation to their role in supporting host health.
... Belonging to lactose fermenting bacteria, Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) was most noted for causing complicated urinary tract infections (UTI), distinctly among patients with long-term indwelling catheters (Schaffer and Pearson, 2015). Indeed, the study conducted at Kassala University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sudan showed that CU was more effective versus this frequent pathogen at both concentrations (50 % and 100 %) (Bayed et al., 2020). ...
Camels are highly suited for severe desert conditions and able to provide most of the natural products like urine, which has been used as alternative medicine to treat diverse infections and disorders. There is, however, a shortage and paucity of scientific reviews highlighting the antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral effects of camel urine. By better understanding its antimicrobial characteristics, our overarching aim is to provide an exhaustive overview of this valuable natural product by synthesizing and summarizing data on the efficacy of this biofluid and also describing the potential substances exhibiting antimicrobial properties. We searched three databases in order to point out relevant articles (Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar) until December 2022. Research articles of interest evaluating the antimicrobial effects of camel urine were selected. Overall, camel urine furnished promising antibacterial activities against gram-positive bacteria, namely Staphylococcus aureus (30 mm), Bacillus cereus (22 mm), Bacillus subtilis (25 mm) and Micrococcus luteus (21 mm), as well as gram-negative bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, and Salmonella spp., without forgetting its efficiency on Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well. The excretion also showed its potency against H1N1 virus, vesicular stomatitis virus and middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Similarly, the camel urine featured strong antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and dermatophytes with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 0.625 μg/ml against Trichophyton violaceum, 2.5 μg/ml against Microsporum canis and 1.25 μg/ml against Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. This comprehensive review will be valuable for researchers interested in investigating the potential of camel urine in the development of novel broad-spectrum key molecules targeting a wide range of drug-resistant pathogenic microorganisms.
... Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect a significant number of individuals worldwide, with Proteus mirabilis being a common causative agent [1]. This microorganism is particularly associated with complicated UTIs, such as catheterassociated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality [1][2][3]. P. mirabilis produces potent urease, which hydrolyzes urea and contributes to the formation of crystals, including kidney stones, in the urinary tract [4]. These stones can cause severe complications, blockage of kidney ducts, and result in conditions like urosepsis [4]. ...
... P. mirabilis developed resistance to several classes of antibiotics, complicating the treatment. In addition, the tendency of this organism to become encased in urinary calculi or within crystalline biofilms in urinary catheters can protect the bacteria and thus lead to treatment failures [3]. To address these issues, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained attention due to their antimicrobial properties. ...
This study aimed to assess the activity of AgNPs biosynthesized by Fusarium oxysporum (bio-AgNPs) against multidrug-resistant uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis, and to assess the antibacterial activity of catheters coated with bio-AgNPs. Broth microdilution and time-kill kinetics assays were used to determine the antibacterial activity of bio-AgNPs. Catheters were coated with two (2C) and three (3C) bio-AgNPs layers using polydopamine as crosslinker. Catheters were challenged with urine inoculated with P. mirabilis to assess the anti-incrustation activity. MIC was found to be 62.5 µmol l-1, causing total loss of viability after 4 h and bio-AgNPs inhibited biofilm formation by 76.4%. Catheters 2C and 3C avoided incrustation for 13 and 20 days, respectively, and reduced biofilm formation by more than 98%, while the pristine catheter was encrusted on the first day. These results provide evidence for the use of bio-AgNPs as a potential alternative to combat of multidrug-resistant P. mirabilis infections.
... 3 Associated with various infections, P. mirabilis can lead to severe and persistent respiratory, skin, eye, wound, and gastrointestinal infections. 4 Notably, it is responsible for 90% of Proteus infections and is classified as community-acquired infection. 5 P. mirabilis, the third most prevalent cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and the second most common cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in long-term catheterized patients, is responsible for 12% of complicated UTIs. 1 Elderly patients undergoing long-term catheterization have the highest P. mirabilis CAUTI incidence rates. ...
... 5 P. mirabilis, the third most prevalent cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and the second most common cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in long-term catheterized patients, is responsible for 12% of complicated UTIs. 1 Elderly patients undergoing long-term catheterization have the highest P. mirabilis CAUTI incidence rates. 4 Patients who contract an infection in the hospital, have a history of recurrent infections, urinary tract structural abnormalities, or a urethral catheter are more likely to develop Proteus infections. 5 Furthermore, P. mirabilis can form complex biofilms containing polysaccharides between sessile cells, increasing the severity of the infection. ...
Background
Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) is known to cause various infections, most commonly urinary tract infections, and is a threat to hospitalized patients, especially in long-stay departments that utilize invasive devices. This study aims to fill the knowledge gap regarding P. mirabilis epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance in Saudi Arabia. It investigates epidemiological patterns, resistance characteristics, and clinical outcomes among P. mirabilis patients at King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh from 2019 to 2021.
Methods
A total of 598 P. mirabilis isolated from diverse clinical specimens, including the clinical information of 78 intensive care unit (ICU) patients, were included in the current study. The Phoenix BD instrument was used for complete identification and sensitivity testing of Proteus spp. Demographic, clinical, and outcome data were reported and compared using statistical analysis.
Results
Pan-drug-resistant isolates were identified in 2019 (n = 6), although multi- and extensively drug-resistant isolate frequencies were greatest among all patients in 2019. The highest susceptibility levels were observed for piperacillin-tazobactam, carbapenems, and cephalosporins antibiotics. In contrast, Cephalothin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and ampicillin had the lowest susceptibilities. Urine infections with a positive culture of P. mirabilis were significantly higher in females and non-ICU patients (p <0.001), but respiratory infections were significantly higher in ICU patients (p <0.001). Moreover, ICU patients infected with P. mirabilis and undergoing renal dialysis have a 7.2-fold (P 0.034) higher risk of death than those not receiving dialysis.
Conclusion
Hospitalized patients are at risk of fatal consequences due to P. mirabilis infection. It is crucial to conduct further investigation to fully understand the severity of this issue and take necessary measures to prevent it.
