The frequency and nucleotide sequence of genes encoding the iron adsorption receptors in Proteus mirabilis isolated from patients with urinary tract infections in Iran

Iron adsorption factors are among the most important virulence factors of P. mirabilis causing urinary tract infections. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the frequency and nucleotide sequence of genes encoding the iron adsorption genes in Proteus mirabilis isolated from patients with urinary tract infections. In total, 100 P. mirabilis isolates were obtained from urine samples of patients with urinary tract infections. Amplification of the iron adsorption genes in the isolates was performed by PCR. For sequencing of the amplified genes, their PCR products were purified from agarose gel using a PCR purification kit and sent for sequencing. After sequencing, the sequences of these genes were compared with the genes deposited in GenBank and Expasy. The frequency of PMI1945, PMI2596, PMI0409, PMI1426, PMI0842 and PMI1425 genes in the isolates was 90%, 25%, 35%, 85%, 75% and 55%. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of these genes using analysis software showed similarity higher than 80% between the sequences of the iron adsorption genes with the iron sequences deposited in Genbank and Expasy. In this study, it was observed that the iron adsorption genes PMI1945 and PMI1426 with high frequency and conserved sequences among P. mirabilis could be presented as novel vaccine candidates against urinary tract infections