Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 5 2023 10 11 616 624 Samane Mohebi Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Zahra Golestani-Hotkani Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy Maryam Foulad-Pour Clinical Research Development Unit, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Peivand Nazeri Clinical Research Development Unit, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Fahimeh Mohseni Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Zahra Hashemizadeh Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Zahra Moghani-Bashi Clinical Research Development Unit, Shahid Bahonar Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Naser Niksefat Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Sanaz Rastegar Medical Mycology and Bacteriology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Maryam Khajedadian Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Zahra Lotfian Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Hossein Hosseini-Nave Medical Mycology and Bacteriology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 2023 03 16 2023 10 11 Background and Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the distribution of genes encoding integrons, extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) in E. coli isolated from UTIs, as well as the genetic diversity among the isolates. Materials and Methods: E. coli isolates were recovered from the patients with UTI in Kerman Iran. Antibiotic susceptibility was done according to CLSI guidelines. The presence of ESBL genes and integrons was evaluated using PCR. PCR and sequencing were applied for the evaluation of cassette content of integrons. Genotyping of the isolates was performed by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). Results: Imipenem was the most effective antibiotic, while the highest resistance was observed to streptomycin. In total 40.2% of isolates were ESBL producers. Of 69 integron-positive isolates, 59 only had class I integrons, 4 only had class II integrons and 6 had both types. The most common gene cassette found within class I integrons was dfrA17-aadA5 (n=27). The E. coli isolates were divided into 16 MLVA clusters. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated the simultaneous presence of class I integrons and ESBLs involved in the resistance of UPEC isolates to antibacterial agents. Our finding also revealed that the E. coli isolates belonged to diverse clones. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4157 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4157/1607