Therefore, we studied urinary E. coli isolates from reproductive age women with UTI, and fecal isolates from healthy controls, from the same geographical area (Central West region, NSW, Australia) and time period, in order to define; (i) the papG class and phylogenetic group distribution among the isolates; (ii) the relationship between VF gene distribution and papG class type; (iii) the relationship between papG genotypes and phylogeny; and finally, (iv) the inferred virulence potential of cystitis and pyelonephritis isolates by papG allele genotype status. Here, PAPOLG is linked to chronic cystitis.