Background and Aim: Escherichia coli is one of the causative agents of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in humans. The aim of this study was to assess genotyping of Escherichia coli isolates from urinary tract infections by using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic c onsensus (ERIC - PCR) in Mashhad. Methods: A total of 69 isolates of E. coli were isolated from urine samples of non - hospitalized patients with urinary tract infections referred to the diagnostic laboratory in Mashhad. Escherichia coli isolates were confirmed by standard microbiology methods. Genetic diversity of isolates was examined using ERIC - PCR.The products of proliferation were electrophoresed on 1.5% agarose gel, and their dendrograms were drawn. The data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The meth od used in this study proliferated numerous bands (1 - 9 bands) ranging from 100 to 1700 base pairs. All E. coli strains were typable by this method and classified into 13 clusters. Conclusion: The results of study revealed that 69 E. coli isolates were genet ically diverse and comprise a heterogeneous population. We found the ERIC - PCR as a useful method for molecular typing of uropathogenic E. coli.

Keywords