Context: In recent years, nonlactose fermenting (NLF) Escherichia coli have been increasingly isolated in the microbiology laboratory, but their clinical significance has not yet been clearly elucidated. Aims: To characterize the lactose fermenting (LF) and NLF isolates on the basis of their virulence factors, phylogenetic background, and drug resistance property. Settings and Design: This descriptive study was carried out in a multi‑specialty tertiary care hospital. Subjects and Methods: Three hundred nonrepeat E. coli isolates from inpatients were studied.
Isolates were differentiated as LF and NLF on the basis of colony characteristics on MacConkey’s agar. Possession of virulence and drug resistance genes was determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Phylogenetic analysis was performed by triplex PCR methods. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed by disk…
