Comparative virulotyping and phylogenomics of Escherichia coli isolates from urine samples of men and women suffering urinary tract infections

OBJECTIVE(S): Escherichia coli strains are common pathogens that can cause urinary tract infections (UTI). This study aimed to assess E. coli phylogroups and virulence types in male and female UTI patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 160 uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) isolates (from both sexes) were assigned to phylogroups/types and some extraintestinal virulence factors were detected within them by multiplex-PCR. RESULTS: The isolates from women and men were predominantly distributed within phylogroup B(2) and D, respectively. The presence of D(2) phylotype was higher in men isolates than women, significantly (P=0.045). In male isolates papEF and sfa/focDE are more prevalent in B(2) group than D, significantly (P=0.048; P=0.035). The prevalence of hly in B(2) group is significantly higher than D (P=0.034) in female isolates. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted different features of E. coli genotypes from phylogenetic and virulence point of view implicated in UTI’s in both human genders.