MOLECULAR INSIGHTS INTO VIRULENCE FACTORS OF URINARY TRACT INFECTION BACTERIA IN DIABETIC PATIENTS USING PCR

• Dr. Mika S. Fujimoto

  Department of Molecular Microbiology, Kyoto University, Japan

  Author

• Dr. Satoshi T. Mori

  Department of Infectious Disease Control, Osaka University, Japan

  Author

• Dr. Kenji H. Nakagawa

  Department of Infectious Disease Control, Osaka University, Japan

  Author

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a significant health burden, particularly in individuals with diabetes mellitus, who are predisposed to more frequent, severe, and complicated infections. The pathogenesis of UTIs is intricately linked to the expression of various bacterial virulence factors, which enable pathogens to adhere, invade, evade host defenses, and cause tissue damage. Traditional microbiological methods often focus on bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility, but they may not fully elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying infection severity and persistence. This article reviews the application of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as a powerful molecular tool for the precise detection and characterization of virulence genes in bacterial strains isolated from UTIs in diabetic patients. By targeting specific genes associated with adhesion, toxin production, biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance, PCR offers enhanced sensitivity, specificity, and speed, providing critical insights into the molecular epidemiology and pathogenic potential of these isolates. Such molecular characterization is crucial for understanding disease progression, guiding targeted therapeutic strategies, and developing effective preventive measures in this vulnerable patient population.

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