Investigation of occurence of autotransporter genes in Escherichia coli isolated from clinical and food sources and identification of phylogenetic relationship of E.coli strains by using pfge method

The autotransporter proteins constitute one of the most important cell components responsible for pathogenicity in bacteria and are frequently transferred as mobile genetic elements from different bacteria and allow the host cell to transfer new virulence genes. The purpose of this study was to identify the presence, distribution and virulence potential of autotransporter genes that are effective in the protection of the bacteria against host defence systems. Therefore, autotransporter genes have also been questioned the prevalence in the surveillance of E.coli strains and in the distribution of food among the people of the ExPEC strains, such as UPEC or whether or not there were porter roles. Sixty-five E.coli strains isolated from non-intestinal system clinical specimens and thirty-five E.coli strains isolated from the food sources. A total of 100 E.coli isolates were used in this study. The prevalence of the autotransporter-related genes was determined in the E.coli strains by using the PCR method which was as follows: Agn43 15%; Tsh 1%; UpaJ 8% and UpaC 6%. While that other genes such as Sat, Vat and UpaB genes could not be detected. It was used PFGE method for the detection of clonal relationships and was found in 6 (6.8%) out of 89 isolates of human and food isolates had a clonal relationship. In conclusion, E.coli strains isolated from clinical specimens were found to have higher prevalence autotransporter genes than E.coli strains isolated from food samples. However, the specific distribution of autotransporter among E.coli strains has not established yet.