Genotypic characterization of virulence and resistance markers in ESBL positive Escherichia coli strains isolated from ambulatory urinary tract infections

摘要

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections and Escherichiacoli is the main etiological agent involved, while the β-lactamase enzymes are the most commonmechanism of bacterial resistance. The aim of this study was to detect the resistance and virulencegenes of a significant number of E. coli strains isolated from urine samples in patients attending theAmbulatory of Regina Maria Central Hospital in Bucharest. Materials and Methods: 106 ESBL isolatesof E. coli strains were collected from January to December 2014. The bacterial isolates were identifiedby Vitek 2 system. The genes codifying for ESBLs, for quinolone resistance and virulence were detectedby Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Results: Our results revealed that analyzed E. coli strainsbelonged to different phylogroups, theA0 one being the best represented in our study and included thestrains with the most numerous antibiotic resistance markers. Regarding virulence, fimH was found inalmost every strain, regardless the phylogenetic group.