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Frontiers in microbiology2023; 14; 1285027; doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1285027

Complete genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of three donkey Streptococcus equi subsp. equi isolates.

Abstract: Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) is the causative agent of strangles, which is one of the most common and highly contagious respiratory infectious illnesses in horses. Streptococcus equi (S. equi) is a horse-specific pathogen that originated from the closely related zoonotic pathogen Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus). Despite decades of research, the movement of genetic material across host-restricted diseases remains a mystery. Unassigned: Three S. equi donkey isolates (HTP133, HTP232, and HT1112) were recently isolated from a strangles epidemic on donkey farms in China's Xinjiang Province. In this study, we performed a comprehensive comparative analysis of these isolates using whole genome sequencing and compared them to the published genomic sequences of equine strain S. equi 4047 to uncover evidence of genetic events that shaped the evolution of these donkey S. equi isolates' genomes. Unassigned: Whole genome sequencing indicated that both strains were closely related, with comparable gene compositions and a high rate of shared core genomes (1788-2004). Our comparative genomic study indicated that the genome structure is substantially conserved across three donkey strains; however, there are several rearrangements and inversions when compared to the horse isolate S. equi 4047. The virulence factors conveyed by genomic islands and prophages, in particular, played a key role in shaping the pathogenic capacity and genetic diversity of these S. equi strains. Furthermore, we discovered that the HT133 isolate had a strong colonization ability and increased motility; the HT1112 isolates had a significantly higher ability for antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation, and the HT232 isolate gained pathogenic specialization by acquiring a bacteriophage encoding hyaluronate lyase. Unassigned: In summary, our findings show that genetic exchange across S. equi strains influences the development of the donkey S. equi genome, offering important genetic insights for future epidemiological studies of S. equi infection.
Copyright © 2023 Zhang, Lv, Su, Zhang and Zhang.
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Publication Date: 2023-11-01 PubMed ID: 38029076PubMed Central: PMC10646407DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1285027Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the genomic structure of donkey strains of the pathogen Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, responsible for causing strangles, a contagious respiratory disease in horses. The genome sequencing of these donkey strains allowed the researchers to compare them to an equine strain, unraveling significant findings about genetic exchanges which might influence the progression of this pathogenic infection.

Research Methodology

  • The team of researchers began by studying three donkey isolates of the Streptococcus equi subspecies equi, named HTP133, HTP232, and HT1112, which were isolated during an outbreak of strangles on donkey farms in Xinjiang Province, China.
  • Whole genome sequencing was performed on the isolates, which were then compared to the genomic sequences of the well-studied equine strain 4047.

Genomic Findings and Analysis

  • The research revealed that all three donkey strains had remarkably similar gene compositions and shared a significant portion of their core genomes, ranging between 1788 and 2004 core genes.
  • However, when these were compared with the equine strain 4047, the genomes were generally conserved but had several rearrangements and inversions.
  • The study highlighted that virulence factors – responsible for causing disease – were primarily determined by bacterial genomic islands and prophages. These elements significantly influenced the pathogenic capacity and genetic diversity of the strains.
  • The isolate HT133 showed potent colonization ability and enhanced motility, HT1112 demonstrated greater antimicrobial resistance and increased biofilm formation, and HT232 exhibited pathogenic specialization due to a bacteriophage encoding for hyaluronate lyase.

Conclusions from the Study

  • The researchers concluded their study by emphasizing the role of genetic exchange in shaping the developmental path of the genome of the donkey Streptococcus equi subsp. equi.
  • They uncovered that this genetic exchange could be critical in enhancing our understanding of how these strains evolve, which, in turn, can shape future studies researching the epidemiology of Streptococcus equi infections.

Cite This Article

APA
Zhang Y, Lv F, Su Y, Zhang H, Zhang B. (2023). Complete genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of three donkey Streptococcus equi subsp. equi isolates. Front Microbiol, 14, 1285027. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1285027

Publication

Frontiers in microbiology
ISSN: 1664-302X
NlmUniqueID: 101548977
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Pages: 1285027

Researcher Affiliations

Zhang, Yuwei
  • Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China.
Lv, FenFen
  • Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China.
Su, Yan
  • Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China.
Zhang, Huan
  • Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China.
Zhang, Baojiang
  • Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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  3. Wilson HJ, Dong J, van Tonder AJ, Ruis C, Lefrancq N, McGlennon A, Bustos C, Frosth S, Léon A, Blanchard AM, Holden M, Waller AS, Parkhill J. Progressive evolution of Streptococcus equi from Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus and adaption to equine hosts. Microb Genom 2025 Mar;11(3).
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