Comparison of Molecular Characteristics of Extended Spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamase Producing Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Patients with Urinary Tract Infections between 2 Time Periods of 1989 and 2010 at Gangwon Province in Korea

Etiological agents of extended spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamase (ESBL) producing uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) have become a major problem in urinary tract infections. The purpose of this study was to compare the molecular characteristics of ESBL producing UPEC strains isolated from 1989 and 2010. A total of 301 strains of UPEC clinical isolates was collected from Korean healthcare facility in 1989 (126 strains) and in 2010 (175 strains). UPEC clinical isolates were analyzed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction method (ESBL related bla genes and phylogenetic groups) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Among 301 isolates, ESBL producing UPEC were 8 strains (6.3%) in 1989 isolates and 35 strains (20%) in 2010 isolates. The rate of bla genes in ESBL producing UPEC from 1989 isolates and 2010 isolates were $bla_{TEM}$ (75% and 85.7%), $bla_{CTX-M}$ (0% and 91.4%), $bla_{OXA}$ (25% and 20%), $bla_{PER}$ (0% and 2.9%). The distribution of phylogenetic groups in 1989 isolates and 2010 isolates were A (37.5% and 11.4%), B2 (12.5% and 51.4%), and D (50% and 37.1%). The most prevalent ESBL related bla gene and phylogenetic group were $bla_{CTX-M}$ (91.4%) and B2 (51.4%) in 2010 isolates, while $bla_{CTX-M}$ was not detected in 1989 isolates. Among 43 ESBL producing UPEC were grouped into 12 clusters up to 76% of genetic similarities by AFLP analysis. During past twenty one years, the rate of the ESBL producing UPEC strains in 2010 isolates was increased than that of in 1989 isolates. Also, the most prevalent ESBL related bla gene has been changed from $bla_{TEM}$ to $bla_{CTX-M}$.