Effects of Escherichia coli Infection on Some Serum and Urine Biochemical Parameters in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Patients

The changes in some serum and urine biochemical parameters in Escherichia coli infected premenopausal and postmenopausal patients were studied. Blood specimens as well as early morning midstream urine specimens were collected from forty premenopausal patients aged 13-15 years, forty postmenopausal patients aged 45-60 years and twenty control subjects with no evidence of Escherichia coli infection aged 20-40 years. These specimens were collected into plain (non anticoagulated) and sterile universal bottles respectively. The following blood biochemical parameters: creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin and C-reactive protein were quantitatively measured. The results showed significant differences of C-reactive protein in both the premenopausal and postmenopausal patients as compared with the control subjects while the other blood biochemical parameters: creatinine, total protein, albumin and globulin showed no significant differences. The urine dipstick results showed positive protein reaction in 30% of the premenopausal patients, 70% of the postmenopausal patients and 0% of the control subjects while positive nitrite reaction of 20%, 80% and 0% were obtained in the premenopausal patients, postmenopausal patients and control subjects respectively. The pH cut off mark of ≥8.0 showed 50%, 85% and 0% in the premenopausal patients, postmenopausal patients and control subjects respectively. However, the other urine biochemical parameters: blood, urobilinogen, bilirubin, ascorbic acid, ketones and glucose showed negative reactions in the premenopausal, postmenopausal and control subjects respectively. In conclusion, this study has shown that serum C-reactive protein concentration is significantly elevated in both the premenopausal and postmenopausal patients infected with Escherichia coli while dipstick urine test results for protein and nitrite are significantly altered in the postmenopausal patients only.