Phylogenetic groups, extended-spectrum β-lactamases and metallo-β-lactamase in Escherichia coli isolated from fecal samples of patients with diarrhea in Iran

AIM The aims of this study were to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) and determine phylogenetic background E. coli isolates from fecal samples of patients with diarrhea in Kerman, southeast of Iran. BACKGROUND The emergence of ESBLs and MBLs-producing E. coli caused problems in antibiotic treatments. E. coli strains can be assigned to four main phylog-groups, including: A, B1, B2 and D. PATIENTS AND METHODS E. coli isolates (n=216) were obtained from fecal samples of patients with diarrhea between June and December 2013. ESBLs and MBLs were confirmed by disk-diffusion and broth micro-dilution methods. Using PCR, the ESBL-positive isolates were screened to determine the phylo-groups and the presence of bla CTX-M-15, bla OXA-1, bla PER-1, bla VIM and bla IMP genes. RESULTS ESBL-positive isolates (n= 56) were detected. Among ESBL-positive isolates, 51 isolates were positive for bla CTX-M15 and one isolate was positive for both bla CTX-M-15 and bla OXA-1 genes. None of the isolates were positive for bla PER-1, bla VIM and bla IMP genes. PCR assay for phylotyping of isolates indicated that the isolates were belonged to groups A (54.16%), B1 (11.11%), B2 (12.96%) and D (21.75%). The isolates possessed bla CTX-M-15 gene were belonged to A (35 isolates), B1 (5), B2 (3) and D (8) phylo-groups. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that bla CTX-M-15 gene is widespread among diarrheagenic E. coli isolates. ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were disseminated among a diversity of phylo-groups. Further studies are necessary to identify the ESBL genes in relation to phylogenetic groups.