Identificationand Characterization of Proteus Species from Urine Samples in Federal Medical Center (FMC) Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Urinary tract infections has remained a public health challenge and Proteus species have been implicated as the second commonest cause after Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species. Proteus species belong to the family of Enterobacteriaceae. Pathogenicity of Proteus mirabilis is enhanced by their possession of unique virulence factors which it uses to colonize the host urinary tract, including urease and stone formation, adhesions/fimbria, toxins, and hemolysin. The aimed at identifying and characterizing Protues species from urine samples of patients attending Federal Medical Center Yenagoa (FMCY). A total of 50 urine samples were collected and analyzed using standard phenotypic and 16S rRNA amplification techniques. Of the 50 urine samples collected, 18(36%) were collected from males while 32(64%) from females. Four (4) bacterial isolates were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the phylogenetic tree was constructed to ascertain Proteus species to its species level. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern showed that out of the 7(14%) isolates of Proteus species 3(42.86%), 7(100%), 6(85.71%), 1(14.29%), 5(71.43%), 7(100%), 0, 0, 6(85.71%) and 2(28.57%) were resistant to (Sulfamethaxozole-trimethoprim), (Chloramphenicol), (Sparfloxacin), (Ciprofloxacin), Ampicillin, (Augmentin), (Gentamicin), Perfloxacin, (Tarivid), and (Streptomycin). Results from the study showed that the molecular characterization confirmed the identity of the organism as was obtained from the phenotypic characterization of the isolates. The study revealed widespread resistance to most routine antimicrobials, which calls for proper surveillance against Proteus species.