Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections (UTI), mainly driven by Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) are a frequent cause of hospitalization and the second cause of antibiotic prescription after lower respiratory tract infections. Integrons play a major role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance among GNB. In the prospective INVICTUS project, whose ultimate objective is to reduce the use of large broad-spectrum antibiotics, our hypothesis is that, in adult patients with a non-severe UTI (qSOFA\<2) and a former documentation with a 3GC-resistant GNB in the previous 6 months, integrons search could reduce the empirical use of large broad-spectrum antibiotics.

1. Isolation of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) and determination of their Antimicrobial sensitivity Patterns. 2. Evaluation of biofilm-forming capacity of UPEC isolates. 3. Assessment of the antibiofilm efficacy of chitosan nanoparticles alone and in combination with ciprofloxacin against UPEC isolates. 4. Examination of the effectiveness of chitosan nanoparticle coating in preventing biofilm formation by UPEC on urinary catheter surfaces. 5. Evaluation of the impact of chitosan nanoparticles on the expression levels of biofilm associated genes in UPEC.