Background and aims: Escherichia coli is a major cause of urinary tract infections and belongs to E.coli groups of gastrointestinal outside. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) appears different virulence factors. These factors create colonization, invasion and the subsequent decline in immune response of the host. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of virulence genes fimH, papAH, papEF, kpsMT and ibeA in Escherichia coli isolates from children with urinary tract infection and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility.

Methods: A total of 60 isolates of E.coli from urine samples were taken. The isolates were identified by standard biochemical tests and bacteriology. The verified isolates were studied to determine the genes papA, fimH, kpsMT, papEF and ibeA by using Multiplex- PCR methods. The antibiotic sensitivity test of isolates against 9 antimicrobial agents was taken.

Results: The fimH virulence gene has the highest rate (75%). Other genes were identified including kpsMT, papEF and papAH, respectively in 21.6%, 11.6% and 10% of isolates. The most resistance was reported to antibiotics penicillin and ampicillin, respectively 96.3% and 87.2% frequency and the highest sensitivity to antibiotics amoxicillin clavulanicacid with 94.6% frequencies.

Conclusion: The results showed that the gene fimH has the most frequent among Escherichia coli strains isolated from UTI in children, and is an important factor in virulence of the bacteria.