Abby Romero E.

coli, Staph, and Strep in Male or Female Urine Samples Abstract The purpose of the urinalysis lab was to explore the presence of E. coli, Staph, and Strep in male and female urine samples. This lab also allowed for the practice of culture techniques used in a diagnostic laboratory. Collected urine samples were applied to sterile agar plates which were incubated for 72 hours. Then each petri dish was observed and checked for bacteria. The results showed females have a higher chance of getting a urinary tract infection, but they are less likely to get a UTI from Staph.

Introduction The purpose of the urinalysis lab is to explore the presence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus and Streptococcus in male and female urine samples. This lab also allows for the practice of culture techniques used in a diagnostic laboratory. E. coli, Staph, and Strep are the three most common types of bacteria that cause a urinary tract infection. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection in any part of the urinary system. It usually occurs when bacteria enters the urinary tract through the urethra and contaminates the bladder. Symptoms of this infection are a painful burning sensation when urinating, a strong urge to urinate, cloudy or bloody urine, and strong-smelling urine. These symptoms occur because the body triggers an immune response against the bacteria. Females are more likely to contract a UTI is because of two things. A females urethra is much shorter than a male's, making it easier for bacteria to get into the bladder. Also, a female's urethra is closer to her anus than a male's is. This makes it easier for bacteria to spread into her urethra and cause an infection. Common types of bacteria that cause a UTI are E. coli, Staph, and Strep. E. coli is the bacteria found naturally in the intestines and is necessary for survival. It can also be found around the anus because it is in feces. Staph is found on the skin and mucous membranes such as those found on the vagina. Strep is also found naturally on the body and is found on the skin and on mucous membranes such as the vagina. Bacteria are put into two categories gram-positive and gram-negative. To test if bacteria are present, agar is used depending on its category. Eosin Methylene Blue agar is selective for gram-negative bacteria; therefore E. coli will grow on it if present. Phenylethanol agar is selective for gram-positive bacteria; therefore Staph and Strep will grow on it if present. Staph contains an enzyme called catalase. Catalase reacts with hydrogen peroxide by bubbling and breaks it down into water and oxygen gas. Four hypotheses will be tested in this lab. The first is if Escherichia coli is present in the urine sample, then green bacteria will grow on the EMB culture plate. The second is if Staphylococcus epidermidis is present in urine sample, then bacteria will grow on the phenylethanol culture plate that bubbles when hydrogen peroxide is applied. The third is if Streptococcus is present in the urine sample, then bacteria will grow on the phylethanol culture plate that does not bubble in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The fourth is if females are more likely to contract a urinary tract infection, then bacteria will be present in more female urine samples than male urine samples.

Methods and Materials To start off, sterile technique is used to disinfect hands, work surface, and petri dish. The petri dish should be split into two so it can hold the two agars separately. Each half should visibly be split into two as well one side being positive for urine and the other negative. The EMB agar, which is purplish, will be held on one side, and the phylethanol agar, which is like chicken broth, will be held on the other. It is important to expose the agar to as little bacteria as possible when pouring the agar into the petri dish. The agar in the petri dishes should be placed in an incubator overnight. The next day, urine specimens should be supplied in a sterile container. After taking the petri dish out of the incubator, use a sterile applicator stick and dip the tip into the urine specimen. Then inoculate the EMB agar by swiping it onto the positive side in a zigzag fashion. Using a fresh sterile stick, inoculate the phylethanol agar in the same way. Label the dish as to whether it was a female or male urine specimen to test the fourth hypothesis. Place the petri dish back into the incubator which is set on 37 degrees Celsius for at least 48 hours. After the incubation is complete, observe the presence of colonies on each of the EMB and phylethanol agars.

Results Overall there were 69 urine samples, 36 being male and 33 being female. Table 1 shows the presence of E. coli in male versus female samples. 1 male and 6 females had the presence of E. coli in their sample. Table 2 shows the presence of Staph in male versus female samples. In this case, 14 males and 6 females had the presence of Staph in their sample. Table 3 shows the presence of Strep in male versus female samples. 1 male and 7 females had the presence of Strep in their sample. Table 4 and Figure 1 show the overall presence of bacteria in male versus female samples. 44% of males and 57% of females had the presence of bacteria in their sample. Table 1: Presence of E. coli in Male and Female Samples Negative Positive Male 35 1 Female 27 6 Table 2: Presence of Staph in Male and Female Samples Negative Positive Male 22 14 Female 27 6 Table 3: Presence of Strep in Male and Female Samples Negative Positive Male 35 1 Female 26 7

Table 4: Presence of Bacteria in Male and Female Samples Male Female Figure 1: % Positive 44% 57%

Presence of Bacteria in Male and Female Samples

Male Female

Discussion The purpose of the urinalysis lab was to explore the presence of E. coli, Staph, and Strep in male and female urine samples. This lab also allowed for the practice of culture techniques used in a diagnostic laboratory. The first hypothesis states if E. coli is present in the urine sample, then green bacteria will grow on the EMB culture plate. This hypothesis was accepted 7 out of 69 times; the other 62 times, the hypothesis was rejected. The second hypothesis states if Staph epidermidis is present in urine sample, then bacteria will grow on the phenylethanol culture plate that bubbles when hydrogen peroxide is applied. This hypothesis was accepted 20 times and rejected 49 times. The third hypothesis states if Strep is present in the urine sample, then bacteria will grow on the phylethanol culture plate that does not bubble in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. This hypothesis was accepted for 8 of the 69 samples. The fourth hypothesis states if females are more likely to contract a urinary tract infection, then bacteria will be present in more female urine samples than male urine samples. This hypothesis was accepted because bacteria were present in more female samples. This data suggests that E. coli is the least common bacteria to be present in urine samples. It also suggests that Staph is the most common bacteria to be present. Looking at males versus females, Strep is the most common bacteria in females, and Staph is more common in males. E. coli and Strep are significantly less common in males. Lastly, since females have a shorter urethra, it may be what is causing bacteria to be present in more female samples. Although this lab has made UTI bacteria in male and female urine samples more clear, questions still remain on this topic. Additional research would need to be done in order to determine why Staph is so much more common in male urine samples.