Complete genome sequence of the emerging pathogen Cysteiniphilum spp. and comparative genomic analysis with genus Francisella: Insights into its genetic diversity and potential virulence traits

Changrui Qian; Mengxin Xu; Zeyu Huang; Miran Tan; Cheng Fu; Tieli Zhou; Jianming Cao; Cui Zhou

doi:10.1080/21505594.2023.2214416

Virulence (Dec 2023)

Complete genome sequence of the emerging pathogen Cysteiniphilum spp. and comparative genomic analysis with genus Francisella: Insights into its genetic diversity and potential virulence traits

Changrui Qian,
Mengxin Xu,
Zeyu Huang,
Miran Tan,
Cheng Fu,
Tieli Zhou,
Jianming Cao,
Cui Zhou

Affiliations

Changrui Qian: Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, ZhejiangProvince, China
Mengxin Xu: Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, ZhejiangProvince, China
Zeyu Huang: Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, ZhejiangProvince, China
Miran Tan: Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, ZhejiangProvince, China
Cheng Fu: Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, ZhejiangProvince, China
Tieli Zhou: Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, ZhejiangProvince, China
Jianming Cao: School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
Cui Zhou: Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, ZhejiangProvince, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2023.2214416
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 1

Abstract

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ABSTRACTCysteiniphilum is a newly discovered genus in 2017 and is phylogenetically closely related to highly pathogenic Francisella tularensis. Recently, it has become an emerging pathogen in humans. However, the complete genome sequence of genus Cysteiniphilum is lacking, and the genomic characteristics of genetic diversity, evolutionary dynamics, and pathogenicity have not been characterized. In this study, the complete genome of the first reported clinical isolate QT6929 of genus Cysteiniphilum was sequenced, and comparative genomics analyses to Francisella genus were conducted to unveil the genomic landscape and diversity of the genus Cysteiniphilum. Our results showed that the complete genome of QT6929 consists of one 2.61 Mb chromosome and a 76,819 bp plasmid. The calculated average nucleotide identity and DNA–DNA hybridization values revealed that two clinical isolates QT6929 and JM-1 should be reclassified as two novel species in genus Cysteiniphilum. Pan-genome analysis revealed genomic diversity within the genus Cysteiniphilum and an open pan-genome state. Genomic plasticity analysis exhibited abundant mobile genetic elements including genome islands, insertion sequences, prophages, and plasmids on Cysteiniphilum genomes, which facilitated the broad exchange of genetic material between Cysteiniphilum and other genera like Francisella and Legionella. Several potential virulence genes associated with lipopolysaccharide/lipooligosaccharide, capsule, and haem biosynthesis specific to clinical isolates were predicted and might contribute to their pathogenicity in humans. Incomplete Francisella pathogenicity island was identified in most Cysteiniphilum genomes. Overall, our study provides an updated phylogenomic relationship of members of the genus Cysteiniphilum and comprehensive genomic insights into this rare emerging pathogen.

Published in Virulence

ISSN: 2150-5594 (Print); 2150-5608 (Online)
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Infectious and parasitic diseases
Website: https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/kvir

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