Siberian Journal of Life Sciences and AgricultureSiberian Journal of Life Sciences and AgricultureSiberian Journal of Life Sciences and Agriculture2658-66492658-6657Science and Innovation Center Publishing House44279610.12731/2658-6649-2026-18-1-1247CRQBUBBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular BiologyБиохимия, генетика и молекулярная биологияResearch ArticleExploring NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM 2 and their inflammatory cytokines in UTI of Basrah province, Iraqhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-7009-0164EidanZainab Ali
Ирак

PhD, Prof., Department of Biology

zainabmoha2025@gmail.comhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4688-780XShaniWafaa S.
Ирак

PhD, Prof., Department of Biology

wafaa.shain@uobasrah.edu.iqhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9544-1535MunaAbdul-Imam Almazini
Ирак

PhD, Prof., Department of Biology

muna.abdul-ima@uobasrah.edu.iqCollege of Science, University of Basrahen28022026202618118420630072026Copyright ©; 2026, Eidan Z.A., Shani W.S., Muna A.A.Copyright ©; 2026, Eidan Z., Shani W., Muna A.2026Eidan Z.A., Shani W.S., Muna A.A.Eidan Z., Shani W., Muna A.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0https://journals.rcsi.science/2658-6649/article/view/442796

Background. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are inflammation of the urinary tract epithelium resulting from invasion by microorganisms.

Purpose. This study aimed to determine the role of some innate immune receptors like NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM 2, and some inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-18, and MCP-1 in inflammatory processes in UTI patients.

Materials and methods. A case-control study was conducted at (Al Basrah General Teaching Hospital, Al Mawani General Teaching Hospital, and Al Sadir Teaching Hospital) in Basrah province between October 2023 to March 2024. 35 patients with confirmed UTI by Vitek® 2 system and 16S rDNA and 30 healthy controls without UTI. Sera levels of receptors (NLRP3, NLRC4 and AIM2) and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18, and MCP-1) were determined by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.

Results. E.coli is the most common species among the bacteria, NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2, IL-1β, and IL-18 was highly significant in sera of UTIs but MCP-1 with no significant p>0.303 in sera of UTIs.

Conclusions. A positive correlation was recorded between E.coli infection and all studied receptors (NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2). The same is true in the studied inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-18), but E.coli infection with MCP-1 is not correlated. Data analysis indicated a positive correlation of NLRP3 and NLRC4 with IL-1β and IL-18 whereas no correlation with MCP-1. A positive correlation was also shown between AIM2 and IL-18 whereas no correlation between AIM2 with IL-1β, and MCP-1.

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