Genetic fingerprinting of Escherichia coli bacterial isolated from Kerman zoo animals using ERIC-PCR

Genetic fingerprinting of Escherichia coli strains in one habitat can significantly help our understanding of genetic diversity and circulation in different hosts. In this study, 48 stool samples were collected from 24 healthy zoo animal species in Kerman zoo by sterile swab. After the isolation of Escherichia coli, the strains were genetically fingerprinted by the ERIC-PCR method, and the bond patterns obtained from electrophoresis were calibrated and analyzed with Gel Quest software. In the next step, the similarity of ERIC templates was determined by drawing a phylogenetic tree by Cluster Viz software using the UPGMA algorithm. In this method, 22 clones were identified with a ≥95% similarity cutoff; The ERIC pattern of pigeon isolates had 100% similarity with a peacock isolate, and the ERIC pattern of ostrich isolates had 100% similarity with one peacock isolate. The isolates of horned chicken, casco, and one isolate of the tawny owl were grouped together with 100% similarity in terms of ERIC pattern. Also, camel isolates and one isolate from a tawny owl showed 100% similarity in the ERIC pattern. Considering that several strains isolated from different hosts with different species had 100% similarity in the ERIC pattern, it can be concluded that due to the proximity of different animal species in the same habitat such as a zoo, these strains circulated among different animals.