Phylogenetic groups of Escherichia coli strains isolated from urinary tract infection in Jahrom city, southern Iran

Escherichia coli is a causative agent of over 80% of urinary tract infections in all ages of the society. Strains of Escherichia coli are divided into four phylogenetic groups. Most of pathogenic extra-intestinal strains often belong to groups D and B2. This study aimed to define the phylogenetic groups of E. coli isolated from urinary tract infections in south of Iran.

This cross– sectional study was carried out on the patients with urinary tract infection who admitted to peymanieh hospital of Jahrom in 2010. Specific biochemical tests were used for identification of bacteria. The phylogenetic groups of E. coli strains were determined by the PCR method and using two specific primers yjaA ChuA and TspE4.C2.

Out of 60 identified E. coli, 78.34% were isolated from women while just 21.76% were isolated in men. The most common identified groups were classified as D (70%), A (23.3%) and B1 (6.7%), and none of the species belonged to the B2 group.  Data analysis revealed no significant relationship between phylogentic groups with the variables age, sex, history of urinary tract infection, previous history of antibiotic use and hospitalization.

The results showed that most of the E. coli strains isolated from urinary tract infections in this region belonged to phylogenetic group D. Also, the results obtained from this region was different from other area.