The aims of this study were to investigate canine E. coli isolates for the presence of class 1 and 2 integrons by PCR/sequencing and to characterize these isolates and their integron-carrying plasmids.  Antimicrobial resistance was investigated by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and PCR/sequencing. 
PCR
The aims of this study were to investigate canine E. coli isolates for the presence of class 1 and 2 integrons by PCR/sequencing and to characterize these isolates and their integron-carrying plasmids.  Antimicrobial resistance was investigated by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and PCR/sequencing. 
sequencing
Plasmids were analyzed by S1 nuclease-PFGE, replicon typing, conjugation and restriction analysis. 
S1 nuclease-PFGE
Plasmids were analyzed by S1 nuclease-PFGE, replicon typing, conjugation and restriction analysis. 
replicon typing
Plasmids were analyzed by S1 nuclease-PFGE, replicon typing, conjugation and restriction analysis. 
conjugation
Isolates were characterized by phylotyping, XbaI-macrorestriction analysis and plasmid transfer experiments.  Plasmids were analyzed by S1 nuclease-PFGE, replicon typing, conjugation and restriction analysis. 
restriction analysis
Antimicrobial resistance was investigated by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and PCR/sequencing. 
antimicrobial susceptibility testing