Efficacy of Bacteriophage Against Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli Isolated from Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infection is a common type of infection which involves the inflammation of the bladder, kidney or urethra. This infection usually affects either the upper or lower urinary tract thereby posing minor to major health challenges to patients. The work involves the antimicrobial activities and effect of bacteriophage against Escherichia coli which is one of the major causative bacteria of urinary tract infection. Ten (10) urine samples were collected from patients after due consent and inoculated on Cysteine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient (CLED) agar. The isolates were characterized using standard microbiological procedures. It was further confirmed using the VITEK-2 Compact machine. The phage were isolated from sewage using deca-broth culture and incubated in shaker incubator for 48hours. Out of the ten (10) urine sample 60% (6/10) showed abnormal appearance and microscopic analysis respectively. Four of the ten (4/10) samples were isolated with Escherichia coli, followed by 10% (1/10) each of Proteus specie and klebseilla specie. Escherichia coli concentration of 0.1ml was 75% and 100% susceptible to phage concentration of 4µl and 5µl respectively. This study has shown that bacteriophages can be effectively used as alternative therapy for treatment of urinary tract infection caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli. This therapy will help to avert the adverse effect of antibiotics on adjunct organs which is part of complications during treatment with synthetic drugs. Hence, there is need for non-compounding process for the use of phages which are host specific without causing underlining damage to organs and tissues within the body.