Prevalence of Shiga toxin genes and intimin genes in uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Objective: To identify stx1, stx2 and eaeA genes in Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains isolated from urine samples in Shahrekord, Iran. Methods: In this cross study a total of 147 middle urine samples from patients with symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI), referred to clinical laboratories of Shahrekord were studied. Taken samples were cultured to detect Shigatoxin-producing strains and finally 76 E. coli isolates were identified using the standard biochemical tests as well as the selective and differential media. The multiplex PCR method was used to evaluate the presence of stx1, stx2 and eaeA genes. DNA bacteria extraction was performed by boiling and then PCR was performed in the presence of specific primers. Results: A total of 147 urine samples were collected from patients with suspected UTI, and 76 samples (51.70%) were diagnosed with E. coli. Among 76 studied isolations of E. coli, 3 (3.94%) had a positive reaction to lactose and negative reaction to sorbitol. In the female gender, stx1 gene that shown in the samples was related to 30–39 age group. In the other sample related to 20–29 age group, stx1 and eaeA gene were shown. But in male gender stx1 gene was reported in the sample related to 40–49 age group. stx1, stx2 and eaeA genes were not observed together in any samples. Conclusions: Isolation of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains has great importance because of the possibility of clinical complications such as hemolytic-uremic syndrome