Molecular diversity survey on diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolates among children with gastroenteritis in Fars, Iran.

Aim: To differentiate Escherichia coli isolates from diarrheal pediatric patients in clinical laboratories. Materials & methods: Patients with watery diarrhea were selected for sampling and tested for diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) by API kit. DEC isolates were tested for phylotyping, pathotyping and presence of determined virulence-encoding genes by specific molecular methods. Results: About 50% of isolates were detected as DECs (>55 and >31% were categorized B2 and D phylotypes respectively). Enterotoxigenic E. coli was the most and enteroinvasive E. coli was the lowest prevalent pathotypes. csg and fim genes were the most present virulence factors. Conclusion: Typing of E. coli isolates from stool specimens will help to determine the diversity of diarrheal pathogens and take proper decisions to reduce the health burden of diarrheal diseases.