Background: Antibiotic resistance is widespread among diarrheagenic
Escherichia coli in developing countries, where the overuse of antibiotics is common. Information regarding β-lactamases, especially Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBLs) in diarrheagenic pathogens should be considered in clinical management when an optimal treatment is needed. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of
blaCTX-M,
blaSHV and
blaTEM β-lactamase genes among enteropathogenic
E. coli (EPEC) isolates in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: Stool specimens were collected from children with diarrhea during a 17-month period from 2011 to 2013. Routine biochemical tests were performed for identification of
E. coli isolates. The isolates were further examined by PCR for the presence of
eae,
stx1,
stx2 and
bfp genes. EPEC isolates have been screened for different β-lactamase genes. Genotyping EPEC isolates harboring
blaCTX-M15 gene was performed through Multi-Locus VNTR Analysis (MLVA). Results: Of 42 EPEC, eight isolates carried the
blaCTX-M1. None of the isolates carried
blaCTX-M2 and
blaCTX-M9. The
blaCTX-M15 variant was identified in all of
blaCTX-M1-positive isolates. Furthermore,
blaSHV and
blaTEM genes were detected in 40.5% (n = 17) and 19% (n = 8) of all EPEC isolates, respectively. No significant association was observed between the existence of
bfp gene and presence of those β-lactamase genes (P > 0.05). MLVA analysis revealed high genetic diversity among
blaCTX-M15-positive isolates. Conclusions: Our study emphasized the increasing role of ESBL genes, especially
blaCTX-M15 in EPEC isolates. Keywords:
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli; Strains; Diarrhea