Wu Fei, Wu Yan, Zhang Miaomiao, Tian Lijun, Li Xue, Luo Xi, Zhang Yiquan, Lu Renfei
Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, China.
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, China.
Microbiol Spectr. 2025 Jan 7;13(1):e0178024. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.01780-24. Epub 2024 Nov 29.
is an emerging pathogen that causes life-threatening infections in neonates and immunocompromised patients. In this study, we performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) to characterize 10 strains isolated from clinical patients in Nantong, China. Core, accessory, and unique genomes were composed of 2,891, 1,633, and 498 genes, respectively. Based on genetic screening for antimicrobial resistance genes (AMRs), all strains carried the same AMRs, including , , and . The virulence factors (VFs) in the 10 strains were classified into 13 functional categories, and the differences between strains were mainly in immune modulation and nutritional/metabolic factor. We further analyzed the genomic features of one of ten strains, NT06 strain. The capsule type of NT06 was X, which is rare among strains. Based on comparative analyses, we first found that NT06 carried the YclNOPQ-like operon, which is the complete transporter for petrobactin, to acquire iron. The genomic features are important for further investigations of epidemiology, resistance, virulence, and to identify appropriate treatments.IMPORTANCE strains are opportunistic pathogens causing meningitis, bloodstream infections, and endophthalmitis in vulnerable populations. There is a lack of knowledge of the genetic diversity, presence of antimicrobial resistance genes (AMRs), and virulence factors (VFs) in isolated from clinical patient in China. Based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) and comparative genomic analyses, we determined the genomic features, phylogeny, and diversity of strains isolated from patients and identified a large accessory genome, intrinsic AMRs, and variable VFs. Based on comparative analyses, we identified a key strain, NT06, that carried a unique capsule type of X and the siderophore-mediated iron acquisition system (-like genes). These findings advance our understanding of the genomic plasticity, evolution, and pathogenicity determinants of .
是一种新兴病原体，可在新生儿和免疫功能低下患者中引起危及生命的感染。在本研究中，我们进行了下一代测序（NGS），以对从中国南通的临床患者中分离出的10株菌株进行特征分析。核心基因组、辅助基因组和独特基因组分别由2891个、1633个和498个基因组成。基于对抗菌药物耐药基因（AMR）的基因筛查，所有菌株携带相同的AMR，包括 、 和 。这10株菌株中的毒力因子（VF）被分为13个功能类别，菌株之间的差异主要在于免疫调节和营养/代谢因子。我们进一步分析了10株菌株之一的NT06菌株的基因组特征。NT06的荚膜类型为X，在 菌株中较为罕见。基于比较分析，我们首次发现NT06携带YclNOPQ样操纵子，这是一种用于获取铁的全转运蛋白，可转运高铁菌素。这些基因组特征对于进一步开展流行病学、耐药性、毒力研究以及确定合适的治疗方法具有重要意义。重要性 菌株是在易感人群中引起脑膜炎、血流感染和眼内炎的机会性病原体。对于从中国临床患者中分离出的 菌株的遗传多样性、抗菌药物耐药基因（AMR）的存在情况以及毒力因子（VF），我们了解不足。基于下一代测序（NGS）和比较基因组分析，我们确定了从患者中分离出的 菌株的基因组特征、系统发育和多样性，并鉴定出一个庞大的辅助基因组、内在AMR和可变VF。基于比较分析，我们鉴定出一个关键菌株NT06，它携带独特的X型荚膜和铁载体介导的铁获取系统（ 样基因）。这些发现增进了我们对 基因组可塑性、进化和致病性决定因素的理解。
