Genomic analysis of a novel nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain isolated from a cancer patient

Abstract

The genome of a novel nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae, strain 5015, isolated from a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma was sequenced and compared with 117 publically available genomes. This strain is phylogenetically distinct and lacks virulence genes encoding the toxin, BigA and Sdr-like adhesins. Strain 5015 possesses spaD-type and spaH-type pilus gene clusters with a loss of some gene functions, and 31 unique genes that need molecular characterization to understand their potential role in virulence characteristics. Keywords: Adenoid cystic carcinoma, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, invasive infection, nontoxigenic, virulence