Background: Urinary tract infections are quite prevalent among children presented with non-specific symptoms including abdominal pain, fever, and nocturnal urine incontinence. The study aimed to determine the sensitivity of uropathogenic bacteria to antibiotics and assess their ability to form biofilms.
Methods: This study was carried out in Kirkuk City. A total of 180 children with positive urine culture participated, within the age range of 6-12 years. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed. The ability of all bacteria isolated to produce biofilms was assessed using a quantitative microtiter plate method.
Results: The uropathogenic Escherichia coli was the predominant isolate (40 %) from children with urinary tract infections. The prevalence of UTI in children was highest in the age group between (9-12) years, with 120 children accounting for (67 %) of the cases. Biofilm production for isolated bacteria was; E. coli (66.7 %), Klebsiella pneumonia
(33.4 %), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (66.6 %) Proteus mirabilis (100 %), Acinetobacter baumannii (33.6 %), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (85.6 %), Staphylococcus aureus (83.3 %), Staphylococcus epidermidis (100 %), Staphylococcus lentus (100 %), Enterococcus faecalis (66.6 %).
Conclusion: The majority of bacteria recovered from children with urinary tract infections were capable of forming biofilms. Infections caused by bacteria that develop biofilms are more resistant to typical antibiotic treatments, requiring higher dosages or more powerful drugs.