Microbiological Characterization and Antibiotic Resistance Profiling of Providencia Spp,: An Emerging Pathogen Isolated From Urinary Tract Infections.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections worldwide, with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., and Pseudomonas spp. representing the majority of isolated pathogens in both community and hospital settings. Providencia spp., although historically considered uncommon, are increasingly recognized as opportunistic pathogens.

International surveillance studies report that Providencia accounts for ~1-2% of urinary isolates, with higher prevalence (up to 6-12%) in catheter-associated infection.

The Providencia genus, nestled within the Enterobacterales order as part of Proteus and Morganella relatives, consists of Gram-negative bacteria that are adept at producing urease .

The genus includes 14 distinct species, with Providencia rettgeri, Providencia stuartii, Providencia alcalifaciens, and Providencia hangzhouensis standing out due to their pronounced relevance to human infections. Renowned for their association with urinary tract infections, these pathogens also possess the capability to inflict a broader spectrum of severe ailments, such as ocular diseases,peritonitis, neonatal septicemia or bloodstream infections and meningitis.

Providencia stuartii is able to adhere to and invade HeLa-M epithelial cell line.