Alireza Mohammadzadeh - Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
Hamid Naghizadeh - Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid-Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Ahmad Mosaddegh - Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid-Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Akram Astani - Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid-Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Omid Pouresmaeil - Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran & Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Jalal Mardaneh - Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the common bacterial infections. Escherichia coli is the most common cause of UTI. In this research, the prevalence of several virulence factors and beta-lactam resistance genes was investigated. Methods: One hundred E. coli isolates were collected from patients’ specimens with UTI referred to Allame-Bohlol Gonabadi hospital. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to identify five pathogenic genes (fimH, aer, pap, hly, traT) and three antibiotic resistance genes (blaTEM, blaCTX, blaSHV). Results: The frequencies of blaSHV, blaTEM and blaCTX beta-lactamase genes among extended-spectrum-beta-lactamases (ESBLs) positive isolates were ۱۱.۱%, ۴۸.۱%, and ۹۳.۳%, respectively. A significant number of isolates were resistant to the most commonly used antibiotics. Conclusion: Pathogenic genes may also increase the severity, progression, and expansion of urinary tract infections. Therefore, identifying these genes as critical controllers of illness can use for better manage the treatment.

Antibiotic resistance genes, E. coli, Pathogenic genes, Polymerase chain reaction.