Genomic fingerprints of Escherichia coli strains isolated from surface water in Alborz province, Iran

BACKGROUND: Consistent use of suitable diagnostic methods is essential to evaluate the genomic diversity of E. coli strains. Advance of efficient methods to discriminate the causes of E. coli in aquatic environments is important. This study aimed to describe the strain diversity of an E. coli population retrieved from surface water. METHODS: One hundred water samples were drawn within a period of 1 year, from May 2012 to May 2013, and E. coli bacteria have been isolated from water samples. The genomic diversity analysis of 100 isolates of E. coli (one isolate per sample) has been carried out with the use of the ERIC-PCR fingerprinting method. RESULTS: Overall, our data indicated that complex fingerprint patterns have been obtained for totally of the isolates. Highest number of strains were in E4 (20 strains with more than 20% similarity) and lowest number of strains were in E3 (5 strains) group. In addition, there was no similarity in E1 (9 strains), E8 (10 strains) and E9 (7 strains) clusters. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the occurrence of potential pathogenic E. coli and diversity of E. coli strains in surface water in Alborz province, Iran could pose a possible risk to animal health and human if not disinfected well.