Multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA)
To precisely categorize the investigated E. coli species with MDR
features, we applied MLSA, which is based on the phylogenetic analysis
of the nucleotide sequences of the alleles used in the MLST. Therefore,
by implicating the nucleotide sequences of the typed strains
(n =22), the phylogenetic analysis was performed using MLST
information of the strains. The maximum probability tree was created
using nucleotide sequences of seven loci revealed that the strains in
the study were clustered into two main sub-clusters with a larger
cluster of a diverse lineage Figure 4 and majority of isolates (n=13)
were grouped into major cluster. A small cluster comprised of 7
isolates, were originated from random places. Two of the isolates were
grouped separately into an out-group indicating out liars. Furthermore,
the strains were not clustered based on the source or location. The
clustering together of isolates from different regions more likely
indicate that correlation between the genetic background and origin of
the sample could not be established.