Multidrug resistance, biofilm formation, and virulence genes of Escherichia coli from backyard poultry farms

Background and Aim: Backyard chicken flocks have traditionally been regarded as an essential food source in developed countries; however, they may act as reservoirs and spread various zoonotic bacterial pathogens. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence, phenotypic resistance, biofilm formation (BF), and pathotypes of Escherichia coli isolates from backyard poultry farms. Materials and Methods: Cloacal swabs (n=150) and internal organs (n=150) were collected from 30 backyard chicken flocks; 20 of them were experiencing systemic infection, and the other ten were apparently healthy. Samples were bacteriologically examined for E. coli isolation. Isolates were identified biochemically by the VITEK® 2 COMPACT system (BioMérieux, France). For molecular identification, 16S rRNA was amplified and sequenced. Ten antimicrobials were selected for E. coli antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The minimum inhibitory concentration for each antimicrobial was determined. The extended-spectrum β-lactamase activity in isolates was investigated using cephalosporin/clavulanate combination disks. The ability of isolates for BF was determined by the microtiter plate method. Thirteen virulence genes linked to different E. coli pathotypes and two serotype-related genes were investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Eighty-six E. coli strains were isolated from 30 backyard chicken flocks. The isolates were biochemically identified to the species level. Genetically, sequences of the 16S rRNA gene showed >98% identity with E. coli in the National Center for Biological Information database. The frequency of isolation from diseased flocks was significantly higher (p<0.05) than apparently healthy flocks; 63.9% of the isolates were recovered from cloacal swabs and 36.04% were recovered from internal organs. E. coli isolates showed high resistance to ampicillin (AMP; 75.6%), gentamicin (39.5%), and tetracycline (29.1%). However, none of the isolates were resistant to imipenem. A variable drug resistance profile for E. coli isolates was reported. Twenty-one (24.4%) isolates were sensitive to all ten antimicrobials. Seven (8.1%) isolates were resistant only to AMP, and 28 (32.6%) were resistant to two antimicrobials, whereas the remaining 30 (34.9%) isolates showed multidrug resistance (MDR). Of the 86 isolates, 8 (9.3%) were confirmed as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli by the combination disk diffusion method. All ESBL isolates were MDR with an MDR index of 0.5-0.6. Fifty-seven (66.3%) isolates were capable of forming biofilms; 22 (25.6%) of them were strong biofilm producers, 24 (27.9%) moderate producers, and 11 (12.8%) weak producers. A statistically significant pairwise correlation was obtained for MDR versus BF (r=0.512) and MDR index versus BF (r=0.556). Based on virulence gene profiles, five pathotypes were identified, including enteropathogenic E. coli (39.5%), avian pathogenic E. coli (32.53%), enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC; 9.3%), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC; 5.8%), and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC; 1.2%). The lower frequency of EAEC and ETEC was statistically significant than other pathotypes. Three isolates were identified as O157 based on the detection of the rbfO157 gene. Conclusion: This study reported a high prevalence of MDR, suggesting the misuse of antimicrobials in backyard chicken farms. The emergence of ESBL and EHEC isolates in backyard chickens is a public health concern. Furthermore, the backyard flocks environment may harbor different pathogenic bacteria that may enhance the persistence of infection and the transmission to in-contact humans. Regular monitoring for the occurrence of MDR and the zoonotic pathotypes among E. coli in backyard chicken flocks is recommended, as these bacteria can transmit to humans through food products or contaminated environments.

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Isolation and Characterization of Potentially Pathogenic Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains from Chicken and Pig Farms in Spain

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.02421-09 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 76 (9) ◽

pp. 2799-2805 ◽

Cited By ~ 147

Author(s):

Pilar Cortés ◽

Vanessa Blanc ◽

Azucena Mora ◽

Ghizlane Dahbi ◽

Jesús E. Blanco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Virulence Gene ◽

E Coli ◽

Isolation And Characterization ◽

Zoonotic Risk ◽

Poultry Farms ◽

Pig Farms ◽

Genes Encoding

ABSTRACT To ascertain whether on animal farms there reside extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and plasmidic class C β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolates potentially pathogenic for humans, phylogenetic analyses, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing, serotyping, and virulence genotyping were performed for 86 isolates from poultry (57 isolates) and pig (29 isolates) farms. E. coli isolates from poultry farms carried genes encoding enzymes of the CTX-M-9 group as well as CMY-2, whereas those from pig farms mainly carried genes encoding CTX-M-1 enzymes. Poultry and pig isolates differed significantly in their phylogenetic group assignments, with phylogroup A predominating in pig isolates and phylogroup D predominating in avian isolates. Among the 86 farm isolates, 23 (26.7%) carried two or more virulence genes typical of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Of these, 20 were isolated from poultry farms and only 3 from pig farms. Ten of the 23 isolates belonged to the classic human ExPEC serotypes O2:H6, O2:HNM, O2:H7, O15:H1, and O25:H4. Despite the high diversity of serotypes and pulsotypes detected among the 86 farm isolates, 13 PFGE clusters were identified. Four of these clusters contained isolates with two or more virulence genes, and two clusters exhibited the classic human ExPEC serotypes O2:HNM (ST10) and O2:H6 (ST115). Although O2:HNM and O2:H6 isolates of human and animal origins differed with respect to their virulence genes and PFGE pulsotypes, the O2:HNM isolates from pigs showed the same sequence type (ST10) as those from humans. The single avian O15:H1 isolate was compared with human clinical isolates of this serotype. Although all were found to belong to phylogroup D and shared the same virulence gene profile, they differed in their sequence types (ST362-avian and ST393-human) and PFGE pulsotypes. Noteworthy was the detection, for the first time, in poultry farms of the clonal groups O25b:H4-ST131-B2, producing CTX-M-9, and O25a-ST648-D, producing CTX-M-32. The virulence genes and PFGE profiles of these two groups were very similar to those of clinical human isolates. While further studies are required to determine the true zoonotic potential of these clonal groups, our results emphasize the zoonotic risk posed especially by poultry farms, but also by pig farms, as reservoirs of ESBL- and CMY-2-encoding E. coli.

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Antibiotic resistance and virulence genes of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli from tropical estuary, south India

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.5627 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 9 (05) ◽

pp. 496-504 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Divya Sukumaran ◽

Abdulla A Mohamed Hatha

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Multidrug Resistance ◽

Virulence Factor ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Disk Diffusion Method ◽

E Coli ◽

Virulence Factor Genes

Introduction: Escherichia coli strains can cause a variety of intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains have the ability to cause severe extraintestinal infections. Multidrug resistance among ExPEC could complicate human infections. Methodology: Escherichia coli strains were isolated during the period of January 2010 to December 2012 from five different stations set at Cochin estuary. Susceptibility testing was determined by the disk-diffusion method using nine different antimicrobial agents. A total of 155 strains of Escherichia coli were screened for the presence of virulence factor genes including papAH, papC, sfa/focDE, iutA,and kpsMT II associated with ExPEC. Results: Among the 155 E. coli isolates, 26 (16.77%), carried two or more virulence genes typical of ExPEC. Furthermore, 19.23% of the ExPEC isolates with multidrug resistance were identified to belong to phylogenetic groups B2 and D. Statistically significant association of iutA gene in ExPEC was found with papC (p < 0.001) and kpsMT II (p < 0.001) genes. ExPEC isolates were mainly resistant to ampicillin (23.07%), tetracycline (19.23%), co-trimoxazole (15.38%), and cefotaxime (15.38%). The adhesion genes papAH and sfa/focDE were positively associated with resistance to gentamicin, chloramphenicol, and cefotaxime (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Co-occurrence of virulence factor genes with antibiotic resistance among ExPEC poses considerable threat to those who use this aquatic system for a living and for recreation.

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Plasmid-Borne and Chromosomal ESBL/AmpC Genes in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Global Food Products

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.592291 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Paula Kurittu ◽

Banafsheh Khakipoor ◽

Maria Aarnio ◽

Suvi Nykäsenoja ◽

Michael Brouwer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Multidrug Resistance ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Food Products ◽

Whole Genome ◽

Beta Lactamase ◽

Broiler Meat ◽

E Coli ◽

Meat Samples ◽

Global Food

Plasmid-mediated extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC, and carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae, in particular Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, with potential zoonotic transmission routes, are one of the greatest threats to global health. The aim of this study was to investigate global food products as potential vehicles for ESBL/AmpC-producing bacteria and identify plasmids harboring resistance genes. We sampled 200 food products purchased from Finland capital region during fall 2018. Products originated from 35 countries from six continents and represented four food categories: vegetables (n = 60), fruits and berries (n = 50), meat (n = 60), and seafood (n = 30). Additionally, subsamples (n = 40) were taken from broiler meat. Samples were screened for ESBL/AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae and whole genome sequenced to identify resistance and virulence genes and sequence types (STs). To accurately identify plasmids harboring resistance and virulence genes, a hybrid sequence analysis combining long- and short-read sequencing was employed. Sequences were compared to previously published plasmids to identify potential epidemic plasmid types. Altogether, 14 out of 200 samples were positive for ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli and/or K. pneumoniae. Positive samples were recovered from meat (18%; 11/60) and vegetables (5%; 3/60) but were not found from seafood or fruit. ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli and/or K. pneumoniae was found in 90% (36/40) of broiler meat subsamples. Whole genome sequencing of selected isolates (n = 21) revealed a wide collection of STs, plasmid replicons, and genes conferring multidrug resistance. blaCTX–M–15-producing K. pneumoniae ST307 was identified in vegetable (n = 1) and meat (n = 1) samples. Successful IncFII plasmid type was recovered from vegetable and both IncFII and IncI1-Iγ types from meat samples. Hybrid sequence analysis also revealed chromosomally located beta-lactamase genes in two of the isolates and indicated similarity of food-derived plasmids to other livestock-associated sources and also to plasmids obtained from human clinical samples from various countries, such as IncI type plasmid harboring blaTEM–52C from a human urine sample obtained in the Netherlands which was highly similar to a plasmid obtained from broiler meat in this study. Results indicate certain foods contain bacteria with multidrug resistance and pose a possible risk to public health, emphasizing the importance of surveillance and the need for further studies on epidemiology of epidemic plasmids.

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Temporal Trends in Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence-Associated Traits within the Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131 Clonal Group and ItsH30 andH30-Rx Subclones, 1968 to 2012

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.03679-14 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 58 (11) ◽

pp. 6886-6895 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Bente Olesen ◽

Jakob Frimodt-Møller ◽

Rikke Fleron Leihof ◽

Carsten Struve ◽

Brian Johnston ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Multidrug Resistance ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Sequence Type ◽

Esbl Production ◽

Content Type ◽

E Coli ◽

Biofilm Production

ABSTRACTTo identify possible explanations for the recent global emergence ofEscherichia colisequence type (ST) 131 (ST131), we analyzed temporal trends within ST131 O25 for antimicrobial resistance, virulence genes, biofilm formation, and theH30 andH30-Rx subclones. For this, we surveyed the WHOE. coliandKlebsiellaCentre'sE. colicollection (1957 to 2011) for ST131 isolates, characterized them extensively, and assessed them for temporal trends. Overall, antimicrobial resistance increased temporally in prevalence and extent, due mainly to the recent appearance of theH30 (1997) andH30-Rx (2005) ST131 subclones. In contrast, neither the total virulence gene content nor the prevalence of biofilm production increased temporally, although non-H30 isolates increasingly qualified as extraintestinal pathogenicE. coli(ExPEC). Whereas virotype D occurred from 1968 forward, virotypes A and C occurred only after 2000 and 2002, respectively, in association with theH30andH30-Rx subclones, which were characterized by multidrug resistance (including extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase [ESBL] production:H30-Rx) and absence of biofilm production. Capsular antigen K100 occurred exclusively amongH30-Rx isolates (55% prevalence). Pulsotypes corresponded broadly with subclones and virotypes. Thus, ST131 should be regarded not as a unitary entity but as a group of distinctive subclones, with its increasing antimicrobial resistance having a strong clonal basis, i.e., the emergence of theH30 andH30-Rx ST131 subclones, rather than representing acquisition of resistance by diverse ST131 strains. Distinctive characteristics of theH30-Rx subclone—including specific virulence genes (iutA,afaanddra,kpsII), the K100 capsule, multidrug resistance, and ESBL production—possibly contributed to epidemiologic success, and some (e.g., K100) might serve as vaccine targets.

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Evaluation of Biofilm Formation and Virulence Genes and Association with Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Strains in Southwestern Iran

Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.5812/jjm.117785 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

Author(s):

Mostafa Boroumand ◽

Asghar Sharifi ◽

Mohammad Amin Ghatei ◽

Mohsen Sadrinasab

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽

E Coli ◽

Resistance Patterns ◽

Pcr Method ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Patterns

Background: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains, encoding superficial and secretory virulence factors, can lead to colonization and facilitation of bacterial growth in the host urinary tract, causing Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Objectives: This study determined the ability of biofilm formation by the Congo red agar (CRA) method, the presence of virulence genes using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, and the relationship between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance patterns and virulence genes in E. coli clinical isolates in Yasuj. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 144 UPEC isolates collected in 2017. Biofilm formation was detected by the CRA phenotypic assay and virulence factors by the multiplex PCR method. Antibiotic resistance tests were performed by the Kirby-Bauer method. Results: Out of 144 isolates of E. coli, 22 (19.4%) isolates showed to be strong biofilm producers, 27 (23.8%) moderate biofilm producers, and 64 (56.3%) weak biofilm producers. A significant relationship was observed between biofilm-producing strains and resistance to ampicillin (P = 0.020) and cotrimoxazole (P = 0.038). The virulence genes in strong biofilm producers included iutA (95%), FimH (93%), ompT (90%), PAI (90%), and TraT (81%) genes. The phylogroup B2 carried the most virulence genes. A significant correlation was observed between E. coli phylogenetic groups and aer (P = 0.019), iroN (P = 0.042), and ompT (P = 0.032) virulence genes. Conclusions: The results of this study showed a high prevalence of virulence genes, and antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains capable of biofilm formation. The results of this study may help elucidate the pathogenesis of UPEC and facilitate better treatment strategies for patients with UTIs in this geographic area.

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Prevalence of Avian PathogenicEscherichia coli(APEC) Clone HarboringsfaGene in Brazil

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/2012/437342 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Terezinha Knöbl ◽

Andrea Micke Moreno ◽

Renata Paixão ◽

Tânia Aparecida Tardelli Gomes ◽

Mônica Aparecida Midolli Vieira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Length Polymorphism ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Fragment Length Polymorphism ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

E Coli ◽

Zoonotic Risk ◽

Poultry Farms ◽

Polymerase Chain

Escherichia coli sfa+ strains isolated from poultry were serotyped and characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Isolates collected from 12 Brazilian poultry farms mostly belonged to serogroup O6, followed by serogroups O2, O8, O21, O46, O78, O88, O106, O111, and O143. Virulence genes associated were:iuc90%,fim86%neuS60%,hly34%,tsh28%,crl/csg26%,iss26%,pap18%, and 14%cnf. Strains from the same farm presented more than one genotypic pattern belonging to different profiles in AFLP. AFLP showed a clonal relation betweenEscherichia coli sfa+ serogroup O6. The virulence genes found in these strains reveal some similarity with extraintestinalE. coli(ExPEC), thus alerting for potential zoonotic risk.

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Escherichia coliStrains Isolated from the Uteri Horn, Mouth, and Rectum of Bitches Suffering from Pyometra: Virulence Factors, Antimicrobial Susceptibilities, and Clonal Relationships among Strains

International Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.1155/2014/979584 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Juliana M. A. Agostinho ◽

Andressa de Souza ◽

Ruben P. Schocken-Iturrino ◽

Lívia G. Beraldo ◽

Clarissa A. Borges ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Multidrug Resistance ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Virulence Gene ◽

Gene Frequencies ◽

Antimicrobial Drugs ◽

E Coli ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Causes Of Disease ◽

Dna Profiles

Pyometra is recognized as one of the main causes of disease and death in the bitch, andEscherichia coliis the major pathogen associated with this disease. In this study, 70E. coliisolates from the uteri horn, mouth, and rectum of bitches suffering from the disease and 43E. coliisolates from the rectum of clinically healthy bitches were examined for the presence of uropathogenic virulence genes and susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs. DNA profiles of isolates from uteri horn and mouth in bitches with pyometra were compared by REP, ERIC, and BOX-PCR. Virulence gene frequencies detected in isolates from canine pyometra were as follows: 95.7%fim, 27.1%iss, 25.7%hly, 18.5%iuc, and 17.1%usp. Predominant resistance was determined for cephalothin, ampicillin, and nalidixic acid among the isolates from all sites examined. Multidrug resistance was found on∼50% pyometra isolates. Using the genotypic methods some isolates from uteri, pus, and saliva of the same bitch proved to have identical DNA profiles which is a reason for concern due to the close relationship between household pets and humans.

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Diversity of P1 phage-like elements in multidrug resistant Escherichia coli

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-54895-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Carola Venturini ◽

Tiziana Zingali ◽

Ethan R. Wyrsch ◽

Bethany Bowring ◽

Jonathan Iredell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Multidrug Resistance ◽

Clinical Isolate ◽

Insertion Sequence ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Resistance Markers

AbstractThe spread of multidrug resistance via mobile genetic elements is a major clinical and veterinary concern. Pathogenic Escherichia coli harbour antibiotic resistance and virulence genes mainly on plasmids, but also bacteriophages and hybrid phage-like plasmids. In this study, the genomes of three E. coli phage-like plasmids, pJIE250-3 from a human E. coli clinical isolate, pSvP1 from a porcine ETEC O157 isolate, and pTZ20_1P from a porcine commensal E. coli, were sequenced (PacBio RSII), annotated and compared. All three elements are coliphage P1 variants, each with unique adaptations. pJIE250-3 is a P1-derivative that has lost lytic functions and contains no accessory genes. In pTZ20_1P and pSvP1, a core P1-like genome is associated with insertion sequence-mediated acquisition of plasmid modules encoding multidrug resistance and virulence, respectively. The transfer ability of pTZ20_1P, carrying antibiotic resistance markers, was also tested and, although this element was not able to transfer by conjugation, it was able to lysogenize a commensal E. coli strain with consequent transfer of resistance. The incidence of P1-like plasmids (~7%) in our E. coli collections correlated well with that in public databases. This study highlights the need to investigate the contribution of phage-like plasmids to the successful spread of antibiotic resistant pathotypes.

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BIOFILM FORMATION AND QUORUM SENSING ANALYSIS OF UROPATHOGENIC MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE ESCHERICHIA COLI

International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research ◽

10.22159/ijcpr.2021v13i2.41549 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 61-63

Author(s):

MOHANA PRIYA M. ◽

G. BHUVANESHWARI

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Multidrug Resistance ◽

Quorum Sensing ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Homoserine Lactone ◽

Retardation Factor ◽

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽

Acyl Homoserine Lactone ◽

Chromatography Method ◽

E Coli

Objective: Escherichia coli (E. coli) are gram-negative facultative anaerobes which are commonly found in the lower intestine. Biofilm production in E. coli promotes colonization and leads to an increase rate of infections, and such infections may be difficult to treat as they exhibit multidrug resistance (MDR). Methods: 50 strains of uropathogenic E. coli were collected from Clinical Microbiology laboratory at Saveetha medical college and hospital for a time period of 3 mo. Strains were identified by conventional biochemical methods. Biofilm formation and quorum sensing analysis were performed by the Microtitre plate method and Thin Layer Chromatography method (TLC), respectively. Results: In this study, 46 (92%) of E. coli strains were strong, 3(6%) were intermediate and 1(2%) were weak biofilm producers. From TLC analysis, 34 (68%) of the strains produced Acyl Homoserine Lactone molecules. Out of which, 16 isolates were shown unknown analytes of Retardation factor (Rf) value greater than 1. The Rf values identified were 3 unsubstituted C4 (5), 3 unsubstituted C6 (3), 3 oxo C8 (3), 3 oxo C4 (4), 3 oxo C6 (2), 3 oxo C1 (1). Conclusion: In this study, 100% of isolates were biofilm producers. Of which 18 strains produced known Acyl Homoserine Lactone molecules and 16 isolates produced unknown analytes. Thus, quorum sensing molecules plays a major role in biofilm formation.

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Analysis of diarrheagenic potential of uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.8257 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (06) ◽

pp. 459-469 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marium Khaleque ◽

Selina Akter ◽

Humaira Akhter ◽

Sirajul Islam Khan ◽

Anowara Begum

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Urinary Tract Infection ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Tract Infection ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Upec Strain ◽

E Coli ◽

Urologic Disease ◽

Virulent Gene

Abstract Introduction: Urinary tract infection is the most frequently diagnosed kidney and urologic disease. Methodology: Whether the Escherichia coli strains responsible for urinary tract infection (UPEC) carry virulence properties of diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC), 56 UPEC strains were examined for the presence of DEC and UPEC characteristics (e.g. biofilm formation, hemolysis activity, virulence genes). Results: Among 56 UPEC strains, 21 showed capable of biofilm formation and only 5 showed hemolysis activity on sheep blood agar. In Multiplex PCR on assessment of virulence genes related to uropathogenesis; 42% was found positive for papC gene, 27% was fim1 positive, 11% was afa positive and none was found positive for sfa. Most of the isolates were found carrying none of eight diarrhea associated genes (e.g. estA, eltB, vt1, vt2, eaeA, ea, ial and bfpA) as expected. Only seven isolates were found to harbor these genes: five genes i.e., vt2, ial, eltB, bfpA and ea were found in five different isolates and two isolates were positive for estA, among these two, one was found positive for fim1, papC along with estA, a UPEC strain containing virulent gene of ETEC strain. One isolate was found carrying fim1 and vt2 showing the property of EHEC and another isolate was found positive for fim1 and ial, the characteristic of EIEC. One isolate harboring bfpA gene characterized as EPEC and the another one was found to harbor ea gene, characterized as EAEC. Conclusions: This study observed that most UPEC strains are unique to uropathogenesis, still very few may carry the diarrheagenic property.

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