To study the molecular characterization, phylogroups and virulence markers of Extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPECs) in clinical specimens isolated from in-patients, Sina hospital, Tabriz, 1400

Abstract

ExPEC isolates cause a wide range of infections in all age groups. Most of these infections are caused by UPEC strains. The aim of this study is to study the molecular characterization, phylogroups and virulence markers of Extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPECs) in clinical specimens isolated from in-patients, Sina hospital, Tabriz. Methods: During the present study, 79 non-duplicate Escherichia coli isolates were collected from patients with various urinary tract infections, blood, wound and respiratory infections admitted to Sina Hospital in Tabriz during the year 2021, and the demographic and clinical information of the patients was reviewed. Antibiotic resistance pattern and biofilm formation ability of the isolates were determined by phenotypic methods. Then, using PCR techniques, genes associated with virulence factors, genes involved in the biofilm formation, serotyping, phylogroup of ExPEC isolates, and genes responsible for resistance to various antibiotics were identified. Result: ExPEC isolates showed high sensitivity to imipenem, nitrofurantoin, amikacin and piperacillin tazobactam antibiotics and high resistance to cefotaxime and ceftazidime. 75.9% of the isolates had the ability to form biofilm. The rpoS gene involved in biofilm formation was the most frequent with a prevalence of 79.7%. Serotype O25, phylogroup A/C, and ST131 clone were the most predominant types identified among ExPEC isolates.