Abstract
Background:
Escherichia coli is an enteric bacterium that is one of the leading causes of gastrointestinal illnesses, particularly when food products, including poultry, become contaminated during slaughter and processing. Microbial contamination of poultry meat is likely in markets with poor sanitary conditions.

Aim:
This study aimed to molecularly investigate the contamination of poultry wet markets by E. coli and assess the occurrence of selected virulence genes in the Sulaymaniyah Province, Iraq.

Methods:
We examined 134 E. coli isolates from 210 specimens collected from poultry carcasses, equipment, and workers, as well as from water at Sulaymaniyah wet markets. We extracted genomic DNA using the boiling method and used PCR testing to identify the species-specific uspA gene and two virulence genes (stx1 and eae). Then, we performed partial sequencing on specific samples to conduct phylogenetic analysis using MEGA-11 software.

Results:
E. coli was found in 116 (55.24%) of 210 samples. The rates of E. coli detection on machine surfaces were the highest (86% in total; 26/30). Determining that stx1 and eae virulence genes were identified in samples positive for uspA. The highest number of 116 uspA-positive samples was found in carcasses (39), machines (26), and tables (23). The overall presence of virulence genes was minimal. In the phylogenetic analysis, the E. coli isolate (Accession PV941795) was closely related to strain lhrS16 and formed a cluster independent of other divergent lineages.

Conclusion:
The findings of the research demonstrate a critical health hazard in society that needs to be addressed by poultry wet markets by instituting better cleanliness standards.

Key words: Escherichia coli; eae; Poultry; PCR; stx1.